Respiratory pressure treatment system

ABSTRACT

A respiratory pressure therapy (RPT) device is disclosed for treatment of respiratory-related disorders. The RPT device includes a pressure generator, a pneumatic block, a chassis and a device outlet for delivering a supply of flow of gas to a patient interface. The RPT device also comprises an integrated humidifier including a water reservoir. An RPT device is also disclosed that includes a wireless data communication interface integrated with the housing and configured to connect to another device or a network.

1 CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/853,812, filed Apr. 21, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/104,789, filed Jun. 15, 2016, now abandoned,which is the U.S. national phase of International Application No.PCT/AU2014/050426, filed Dec. 17, 2014, and claims priority toAustralian Provisional Patent Application Nos. AU 2013904923, filed Dec.17, 2013, AU 2014901998, filed May 27, 2014, AU 2014901999, filed May27, 2014, AU 2014901997, filed May 27, 2014, and AU 2014902071, filedMay 30, 2014, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/987,245, filedMay 1, 2014, the entire contents of each of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

2 BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY 2.1 Field of the Technology

The present technology relates to one or more of the detection,diagnosis, treatment, prevention and amelioration of respiratory-relateddisorders. In particular, the present technology relates to medicaldevices or apparatus, and their use.

2.2 Description of the Related Art

2.2.1 Human Respiratory System and its Disorders

The respiratory system of the body facilitates gas exchange. The noseand mouth form the entrance to the airways of a patient.

The airways include a series of branching tubes, which become narrower,shorter and more numerous as they penetrate deeper into the lung. Theprime function of the lung is gas exchange, allowing oxygen to move fromthe air into the venous blood and carbon dioxide to move out. Thetrachea divides into right and left main bronchi, which further divideeventually into terminal bronchioles. The bronchi make up the conductingairways, and do not take part in gas exchange. Further divisions of theairways lead to the respiratory bronchioles, and eventually to thealveoli. The alveolated region of the lung is where the gas exchangetakes place, and is referred to as the respiratory zone. See“Respiratory Physiology”, by John B. West, Lippincott Williams &Wilkins, 9th edition published 2011.

A range of respiratory disorders exist. Certain disorders may becharacterised by particular events, e.g. apneas, hypopneas, andhyperpneas.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a form of Sleep Disordered Breathing(SDB), is characterized by events including occlusion or obstruction ofthe upper air passage during sleep. It results from a combination of anabnormally small upper airway and the normal loss of muscle tone in theregion of the tongue, soft palate and posterior oropharyngeal wallduring sleep. The condition causes the affected patient to stopbreathing for periods typically of 30 to 120 seconds duration, sometimes200 to 300 times per night. It often causes excessive daytimesomnolence, and it may cause cardiovascular disease and brain damage.The syndrome is a common disorder, particularly in middle agedoverweight males, although a person affected may have no awareness ofthe problem. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,310 (Sullivan).

Cheyne-Stokes Respiration (CSR) is another form of sleep disorderedbreathing. CSR is a disorder of a patient's respiratory controller inwhich there are rhythmic alternating periods of waxing and waningventilation known as CSR cycles. CSR is characterised by repetitivede-oxygenation and re-oxygenation of the arterial blood. It is possiblethat CSR is harmful because of the repetitive hypoxia. In some patientsCSR is associated with repetitive arousal from sleep, which causessevere sleep disruption, increased sympathetic activity, and increasedafterload. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,532,959 (Berthon-Jones).

Obesity Hyperventilation Syndrome (OHS) is defined as the combination ofsevere obesity and awake chronic hypercapnia, in the absence of otherknown causes for hypoventilation. Symptoms include dyspnea, morningheadache and excessive daytime sleepiness.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) encompasses any of a groupof lower airway diseases that have certain characteristics in common.These include increased resistance to air movement, extended expiratoryphase of respiration, and loss of the normal elasticity of the lung.Examples of COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is caused bychronic tobacco smoking (primary risk factor), occupational exposures,air pollution and genetic factors. Symptoms include: dyspnea onexertion, chronic cough and sputum production.

Neuromuscular Disease (NMD) is a broad term that encompasses manydiseases and ailments that impair the functioning of the muscles eitherdirectly via intrinsic muscle pathology, or indirectly via nervepathology. Some NMD patients are characterised by progressive muscularimpairment leading to loss of ambulation, being wheelchair-bound,swallowing difficulties, respiratory muscle weakness and, eventually,death from respiratory failure. Neuromuscular disorders can be dividedinto rapidly progressive and slowly progressive: (i) Rapidly progressivedisorders: Characterised by muscle impairment that worsens over monthsand results in death within a few years (e.g. Amyotrophic lateralsclerosis (ALS) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in teenagers);(ii) Variable or slowly progressive disorders: Characterised by muscleimpairment that worsens over years and only mildly reduces lifeexpectancy (e.g. Limb girdle, Facioscapulohumeral and Myotonic musculardystrophy). Symptoms of respiratory failure in NMD include: increasinggeneralised weakness, dysphagia, dyspnea on exertion and at rest,fatigue, sleepiness, morning headache, and difficulties withconcentration and mood changes.

Chest wall disorders are a group of thoracic deformities that result ininefficient coupling between the respiratory muscles and the thoraciccage. The disorders are usually characterised by a restrictive defectand share the potential of long term hypercapnic respiratory failure.Scoliosis and kyphoscoliosis may cause severe respiratory failure.Symptoms of respiratory failure include: dyspnea on exertion, peripheraloedema, orthopnea, repeated chest infections, morning headaches,fatigue, poor sleep quality and loss of appetite.

A range of therapies have been used to treat or ameliorate suchconditions. Furthermore, otherwise healthy individuals may takeadvantage of such therapies to prevent respiratory disorders fromarising. However, these have a number of shortcomings.

2.2.2 Therapy

Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy has been usedto treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The hypothesis is thatcontinuous positive airway pressure acts as a pneumatic splint and mayprevent upper airway occlusion by pushing the soft palate and tongueforward and away from the posterior oropharyngeal wall. Treatment of OSAby nasal CPAP therapy may be voluntary, and hence patients may elect notto comply with therapy if they find devices used to provide such therapyone or more of uncomfortable, difficult to use, expensive oraesthetically unappealing.

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) provides ventilatory support to a patientthrough the upper airways to assist the patient in taking a full breathand assist to maintain adequate oxygen levels in the body by doing someor all of the work of breathing. The ventilatory support is provided viaa patient interface. NIV has been used to treat CSR, OHS, COPD, MD andChest Wall disorders.

Invasive ventilation (IV) provides ventilatory support to patients thatare no longer able to effectively breathe themselves and may be providedusing a tracheostomy tube.

2.2.3 Diagnosis and Treatment Systems

These therapies may be provided by a treatment system or device. Systemsand devices may also be used to diagnose a condition without treatingit.

A treatment system may comprise a Respiratory Pressure Therapy Device(RPT device), an air circuit, a humidifier, a patient interface, anddata management.

2.2.3.1 Patient Interface

A patient interface may be used to interface respiratory equipment toits user, for example by providing a flow of air. The flow of air may beprovided via a mask to the nose, the mouth or the nose and the mouth, atube to the mouth or a tracheostomy tube to the trachea of the user.Depending upon the therapy to be applied, the patient interface may forma seal, e.g. with a face region of the patient, to facilitate thedelivery of gas at a pressure at sufficient variance with ambientpressure to effect therapy, e.g. a positive pressure of about 10 cmH2O.For other forms of therapy, such as the delivery of oxygen, the patientinterface may not include a seal sufficient to facilitate delivery tothe airways of a supply of gas at a positive pressure of about 10 cmH2O.

The design of a patient interface presents a number of challenges. Theface has a complex three-dimensional shape. The size and shape of nosesvaries considerably between individuals. Since the head includes bone,cartilage and soft tissue, different regions of the face responddifferently to mechanical forces. The jaw or mandible may move relativeto other bones of the skull. The whole head may move during the courseof a period of respiratory therapy.

As a consequence of these challenges, some masks suffer from being oneor more of obtrusive, aesthetically undesirable, costly, poorly fitting,difficult to use, and uncomfortable especially when worn for longperiods of time or when a patient is unfamiliar with a system. Forexample, masks designed solely for aviators, mask designed as part ofpersonal protection equipment (e.g. filter masks), SCUBA masks, or forthe administration of anaesthetics may be tolerable for their originalapplication, but nevertheless be undesirably uncomfortable to be wornfor extended periods of time, e.g. several hours This discomfort maylead to a reduction in patient compliance with therapy. This is evenmore so if the mask is to be worn during sleep.

Nasal CPAP therapy is highly effective to treat certain respiratorydisorders, provided patients comply with therapy. If a mask isuncomfortable, or difficult to use a patient may not comply withtherapy. Since it is often recommended that a patient regularly washtheir mask, if a mask is difficult to clean (e.g. difficult to assembleor disassemble), patients may not clean their mask and this may impacton patient compliance.

While a mask for other applications (e.g. aviators) may not be suitablefor use in treating sleep disordered breathing, a mask designed for usein treating sleep disordered breathing may be suitable for otherapplications.

For these reasons, patient interfaces for delivery of nasal CPAP duringsleep form a distinct field.

2.2.3.2 Respiratory Pressure Therapy (RPT) Device

Air pressure generators are known in a range of applications, e.g.industrial-scale ventilation systems. However, air pressure generatorsfor medical applications have particular requirements not fulfilled bymore generalised air pressure generators, such as the reliability, sizeand weight requirements of medical devices. In addition, even devicesdesigned for medical treatment may suffer from shortcomings, includingone or more of comfort, noise, ease of use, efficacy, size, weight,manufacturability, cost, and reliability.

An example of the special requirements of certain RPT devices isacoustic noise.

Table of noise output levels of prior RPT devices (one specimen only,measured using test method specified in ISO3744 in CPAP mode at10cmH₂O).

A-weighted sound Year RPT Device name power level dB(A) (approx.)C-Series Tango 31.9 2007 C-Series Tango with Humidifier 33.1 2007 S8Escape II 30.5 2005 S8 Escape II with H4i Humidifier 31.1 2005 S9AutoSet 26.5 2010 S9 AutoSet with H5i Humidifier 28.6 2010

One known RPT device used for treating sleep disordered breathing is theS9 Sleep Therapy System, manufactured by ResMed. Another example of anRPT device is a ventilator. Ventilators such as the ResMed Stellar™Series of Adult and Paediatric Ventilators may provide support forinvasive and non-invasive non-dependent ventilation for a range ofpatients for treating a number of conditions such as but not limited toNMD, OHS and COPD.

The ResMed Elisée™ 150 ventilator and ResMed VS III™ ventilator mayprovide support for invasive and non-invasive dependent ventilationsuitable for adult or paediatric patients for treating a number ofconditions. These ventilators provide volumetric and barometricventilation modes with a single or double limb circuit. RPT devicestypically comprise a pressure generator, such as a motor-driven bloweror a compressed gas reservoir, and are configured to supply a flow ofair to the airway of a patient. In some cases, the flow of air may besupplied to the airway of the patient at positive pressure. The outletof the RPT device is connected via an air circuit to a patient interfacesuch as those described above.

2.2.3.3 Humidifier

Delivery of a flow of air without humidification may cause drying ofairways. The use of a humidifier with an RPT device and the patientinterface produces humidified gas that minimizes drying of the nasalmucosa and increases patient airway comfort. In addition in coolerclimates, warm air applied generally to the face area in and about thepatient interface is more comfortable than cold air. A range ofartificial humidification devices and systems are known, however theymay not fulfil the specialised requirements of a medical humidifier.

Medical humidifiers are used to increase humidity, temperature (or both)of the flow of air in relation to ambient air when required, typicallywhere the patient may be asleep or resting (e.g. at a hospital). As aresult, a medical humidifier is preferably small for bedside placement,and it is preferably configured to only humidify, heat or humidify andheat the flow of air delivered to the patient without humidifying,heating or humidifying and heating the patient's surroundings.Room-based systems (e.g. a sauna, an air conditioner, an evaporativecooler), for example, may also humidify air that is breathed in by thepatient, however they would also humidify, heat or humidify and heat theentire room, which may cause discomfort to the occupants. Furthermoremedical humidifiers may have more stringent safety constraints thanindustrial humidifiers

While a number of medical humidifiers are known, they can suffer fromone or more shortcomings. Some medical humidifiers may provideinadequate humidification, some are difficult or inconvenient to use bypatients.

3 BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE TECHNOLOGY

The present technology is directed towards providing medical devicesused in the diagnosis, amelioration, treatment, or prevention ofrespiratory disorders having one or more of improved comfort, cost,efficacy, ease of use and manufacturability.

A first aspect of the present technology relates to an apparatus for usein treating a respiratory disorder comprising a housing, a pressuregenerator within the housing and configured to supply a flow of air, adevice outlet fluidly coupled to the pressure generator and configuredto be coupled to an air circuit to deliver the flow of air to a patientinterface for treating a respiratory disorder, and a wireless datacommunication interface integrated with the housing, the wireless datacommunication interface configured to connect to another device or anetwork.

A further aspect of the present technology relates to an apparatuswherein the wireless data communication interface is configured toconnect to one or more of the Internet and a cellular telephone network.

A further aspect of the present technology relates to an apparatuswherein the wireless data communication interface uses one or more ofCDMA, GSM, LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a consumer infrared protocol.

According to a further aspect of the present technology, the wirelessdata communication interface comprises an antenna within the housing.

According to a further aspect of the present technology, the wirelessdata communication interface further comprises an antenna ground plane.

A further aspect of the present technology relates to an apparatuswherein the antenna ground plane is vertically oriented.

A further aspect of the present technology relates to an apparatuswherein the antenna ground plane comprises one or more notches.

A further aspect of the present technology relates to an apparatuswherein the notches increase an effective total length of the groundplane.

A further aspect of the present technology relates to an apparatuswherein the notches increase the effective total length by more thanapproximately 25%.

One aspect of the present technology relates to an apparatus forhumidifying a flow of breathable gas, comprising a heater plate, achamber in fluid communication with the flow of breathable gas and areservoir comprising a conductive portion in thermal engagement with theheater plate, the apparatus configured so that varying a first pressureof the flow of breathable gas in the chamber varies a level of thermalengagement between the conductive portion and the heater plate.

In one form, the reservoir further comprises an inlet and an outlet.

In one form, the thermal engagement is in a first direction that issubstantially normal to a surface of the conductive portion.

In one form, the apparatus is further configured to vary a magnitude ofa force between the conductive portion and the heater plate in the firstdirection as the first pressure is varied.

In one form, the chamber is part of the reservoir.

In one form, the chamber further comprises a variable portion.

In one form, the apparatus further comprises a dock configured toreceive the reservoir, and the dock comprises the heater plate.

In one form, the dock further comprises a cavity having a top portionand a bottom portion, the bottom portion having the heater plate locatedthereon, the cavity configured to retain at least a portion of thereservoir therein.

In one form, the variable portion is compressed to enable insertion ofthe reservoir into the cavity of the dock.

In one form, the top portion of the cavity is moveable between an openand closed configuration to facilitate insertion of the reservoir intothe cavity.

In one form, the variable portion is configured to adjust in size as thefirst pressure is varied to vary the level of thermal engagement betweenthe heater plate and the conductive portion.

In one form, the reservoir further includes a base and a lid, the basestructured to hold a volume of liquid and including the conductingportion.

In one form, the base and lid are pivotably coupled together.

In one form, the variable portion forms a seal between the base and lid.

In one form, the reservoir further includes a latch to secure the baseand lid together.

In one form, the reservoir further comprises at least one handle tofacilitate coupling of the reservoir to the dock.

In one form, the reservoir further includes a retaining clip adapted toengage with a recess on the dock to retain the reservoir in the cavityof the dock.

In one form, the reservoir is structured to prevent refilling of thereservoir when the reservoir is coupled to the dock.

In one form, at least a portion of the reservoir is prevented from beingopened when the reservoir is coupled to the dock.

In one form, the reservoir includes a re-filling cap.

In one form, the apparatus further comprises an overfill protectionelement configured to prevent filling the reservoir above apredetermined maximum volume of water.

In one form, the overfill protection element comprises at least oneorifice formed in a wall of the reservoir, the at least one orificedefines an egress path of water when the predetermined maximum volume ofwater is exceeded.

In one form, the overfill protection element comprises a sloped profilein the side profile of a wall of the reservoir, the sloped profiledefines an egress path of water when the predetermined maximum volume ofwater is exceeded.

One aspect of the present technology relates to a method for varyingthermal contact between a heater plate and a reservoir in ahumidification system for humidifying a flow of breathable gas, themethod comprising varying a pressure of the flow of breathable gas inthe reservoir that is in fluid communication with the flow of breathablegas to vary a force between the heater plate and the reservoir.

Another aspect of the present technology relates to an apparatus forhumidifying a flow of breathable gas, comprising a heater plate and areservoir comprising an inlet to receive the flow of breathable gas, anoutlet and a conductive portion in thermal contact with the heaterplate, and wherein the apparatus is configured so that varying apressure of the flow of breathable gas in the reservoir varies a forcebetween the heater plate and the conductive portion in a direction ofthermal contact.

In one form, the apparatus further comprises a dock connectable with thereservoir.

In one form, the dock is configured to constrain the reservoir fromopening in the direction of thermal contact.

Another aspect of the present technology relates to a reservoirconfigured to contain a volume of liquid for humidifying a pressurisedflow of breathable air, comprising a base portion comprising aconductive portion, a lid portion comprising an inlet and an outlet anda seal portion wherein the base portion and the lid portion arepivotably engaged and configurable in an open configuration and a closedconfiguration while pivotably engaged, and the seal sealingly engagesthe base portion and the lid portion when the reservoir is in the closedconfiguration.

In one form, the seal portion comprises an outlet tube, and a baffle,the baffle being configured to connect to the inlet tube.

Another aspect of the present technology relates to an apparatus forhumidifying a flow of breathable gas, comprising a heater plate and areservoir comprising an inlet, an outlet, a variable portion and aconductive portion in thermal contact with the heater plate, wherein theapparatus is configured so that varying a height of the variable portionvaries a level of thermal engagement between the conductive portion andthe heater plate.

In one form, the apparatus is configured so that the thermal engagementis in a first direction that is substantially normal to a surface of theconductive portion.

Another aspect of the present technology relates to a method of varyinga level of thermal engagement in a humidifier apparatus, the methodcomprising (i) thermally engaging a heater plate with a conductiveportion of a reservoir and (ii) varying a height of a variable portionof the reservoir to vary a level of thermal engagement between theconductive portion and the heater plate.

A reservoir to hold a predetermined maximum volume of water, comprisinga base portion including an overfill protection element, wherein thereservoir is configured to be convertible between an open configurationand a closed configuration and the overfill protection element preventsfilling the reservoir above the maximum volume of water when thereservoir is in the open configuration.

In one form, the seal portion is configured to sealingly engage the lidportion and the base portion when the reservoir is in the closedconfiguration.

In one form, the overfill protection element is configured so thatexcess water above the maximum volume of water will spill out via theoverfill protection element when a maximum water capacity is exceededand the base portion is in its normal, working orientation.

In one form, the overfill protection element is at least one orificethat defines an egress path of water when the maximum water capacity ofthe base portion is exceeded when the humidifier reservoir is in an openconfiguration.

In one form, the overfill protection element is a sloped profile in theside profile of the base portion that defines an egress path of waterwhen the maximum water capacity of the base portion is exceeded when thehumidifier reservoir is in an open configuration.

Another aspect of the present technology relates a method of preventingoverfilling in a humidifier reservoir, the method comprising (i)incorporating an overfill protection element in a base portion of thehumidifier reservoir and (ii) configuring the overfill protectionelement so that excess water above a predetermined maximum volume ofwater will spill out via the overfill protection element when a maximumwater capacity is exceeded and the base portion is in its normal,working orientation.

In one form, the overfill protection element includes at least oneorifice.

In one form, the overfill protection element includes a sloped profile.

Another aspect of the present technology relates to a reservoirconfigured to hold a predetermined maximum volume of water, comprising aplurality of walls forming a cavity structured to hold the predeterminedmaximum volume of water, an inlet tube configured to deliver a supply ofbreathable gas into the cavity, the inlet tube having an inlet interiorend and an inlet exterior end and an outlet tube configured to deliver ahumidified supply of breathable gas from the cavity, the outlet tubehaving an outlet interior end and an outlet exterior end, wherein theinlet interior end and the outlet interior end are located within thecavity and the inlet exterior end and the outlet exterior end arelocated in one of the plurality of walls of the cavity, a first axisdefined by the inlet interior end and the inlet exterior end and asecond axis defined by the outlet interior end and the outlet exteriorend, wherein when the reservoir is tilted approximately 90° to normalworking orientation the first axis is on a first angle such that theinlet interior end and the inlet exterior end are positioned atdifferent heights, such that the predetermined maximum volume of wateris below at least one of the inlet interior end or the inlet exteriorend to prevent spillback of water through the inlet tube.

In one form, the reservoir is further configured so that when thereservoir is tilted approximately 90° to normal working orientation thesecond axis is on a second angle such that the outlet interior end andthe outlet exterior end are positioned at different heights, such thatthe predetermined maximum volume of water is below at least one of theoutlet interior end or the outlet exterior end to prevent spillback ofwater through the outlet tube.

Of course, portions of the aspects may form sub-aspects of the presenttechnology. Also, various ones of the sub-aspects, aspects or both maybe combined in various manners and also constitute additional aspects orsub-aspects of the present technology.

Other features of the technology will be apparent from consideration ofthe information contained in the following detailed description,abstract, drawings and claims.

4 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present technology is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements including:

4.1 Treatment Systems

FIG. 1a shows a system including a patient 1000 wearing a patientinterface 3000, in the form of a nasal pillows, receives a supply of airat positive pressure from an RPT device 4000. Air from the RPT device ishumidified in a humidifier 5000, and passes along an air circuit 4170 tothe patient 1000. A bed partner 1100 is also shown.

FIG. 1b shows a system including a patient 1000 wearing a patientinterface 3000, in the form of a nasal mask, receives a supply of air atpositive pressure from an RPT device 4000. Air from the RPT device ishumidified in a humidifier 5000, and passes along an air circuit 4170 tothe patient 1000.

FIG. 1c shows a system including a patient 1000 wearing a patientinterface 3000, in the form of a full-face mask, receives a supply ofair at positive pressure from an RPT device 4000. Air from the RPTdevice is humidified in a humidifier 5000, and passes along an aircircuit 4170 to the patient 1000.

4.2 Respiratory System and Facial Anatomy

FIG. 2a shows an overview of a human respiratory system including thenasal and oral cavities, the larynx, vocal folds, oesophagus, trachea,bronchus, lung, alveolar sacs, heart and diaphragm.

4.3 Patient Interface

FIG. 3a shows a patient interface in the form of a nasal mask inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

4.4 Breathing Waveforms

FIG. 4 shows a model typical breath waveform of a person while sleeping.

4.5 RPT Device and Humidifier

FIG. 5a shows an exploded perspective view of an RPT device 4000 inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 5b shows a perspective view of an RPT device 4000 comprising anoutlet muffler 4124 in accordance with one form of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 5c shows a perspective view of an RPT device 4000 with anintegrated humidifier 5000 comprising a water reservoir 5110 inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 5d shows a schematic diagram of the pneumatic path of an RPT devicein accordance with one form of the present technology. The directions ofupstream and downstream are indicated.

FIG. 5e shows a schematic diagram of the electrical components of an RPTdevice in accordance with one aspect of the present technology.

FIG. 5f shows a schematic diagram of the algorithms implemented in a PAPdevice in accordance with an aspect of the present technology. In thisfigure, arrows with solid lines indicate an actual flow of information,for example via an electronic signal.

FIG. 5g is a flow chart illustrating a method carried out by the therapyengine of FIG. 5f in accordance with one aspect of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 5h shows a simplified representation of a humidifier connected to ablower and a patient conduit.

FIG. 5i shows a schematic of a humidifier.

FIG. 6a shows a perspective view of a side panel 4014, showing the inletair filter cover 4014 fc and the inlet air filter 4112 in exploded viewin accordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 6b shows a perspective view of a side panel 4014 including the RPTdevice inlet 4002 in accordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 6c shows a perspective view of a side panel 4014 showing the inletair filter cover 4014 fc in an open position in accordance with one formof the present technology.

FIG. 6d shows a perspective view of a side panel 4014, showing theaccess covers 4014 ac in exploded view in accordance with one form ofthe present technology.

FIG. 6e shows a perspective view of the access covers 4014 ac inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 7a shows a side perspective view of an RPT device 4000 comprisingan outlet muffler 4124 in accordance with one form of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 7b shows a side perspective view of an RPT device 4000 showing anoutlet muffler 4124 in exploded view in accordance with one form of thepresent technology.

FIG. 7c shows a perspective view of an outlet muffler 4124 in accordancewith one form of the present technology.

FIG. 7d shows another perspective view of an outlet muffler 4124 inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 7e shows an exploded perspective view of an outlet muffler 4124 inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 7f shows another exploded perspective view of an outlet muffler4124 in accordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 8a shows a perspective view of a chassis 4016 in accordance withone form of the present technology.

FIG. 8b shows a perspective view of a chassis 4016 showing an outlettube 4006 and an intermediate tube 4008 in exploded view in accordancewith one form of the present technology.

FIG. 8c shows a side perspective view of a chassis 4016 in accordancewith one form of the present technology.

FIG. 8d shows a side perspective view of a chassis 4016 showing anoutlet tube 4006 and an intermediate tube 4008 in exploded view inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 8e shows a rear perspective view of a chassis 4016 in accordancewith one form of the present technology.

FIG. 8f shows a rear perspective view of a chassis 4016 showing anoutlet tube 4006 and an intermediate tube 4008 in exploded view inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 8g shows a perspective view of the outlet tube 4006 in accordancewith one form of the present technology.

FIG. 8h shows an exploded perspective view of the outlet tube 4006 inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 9a shows a front perspective view of an RPT device 4000 inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 10a shows a perspective view of a side panel 4014 including a datacommunication interface 4280 in accordance with one form of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 10b shows an exploded perspective view of a side panel 4014including a data communication interface 4280 in accordance with oneform of the present technology.

FIG. 11a shows a perspective view of a pneumatic block 4020 inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 11b shows another perspective view of a pneumatic block 4020 inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 11c shows an exploded perspective view of a pneumatic block 4020 inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 11d shows another exploded perspective view of a pneumatic block4020 in accordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 11e shows a perspective view of a pneumatic block 4020 inaccordance with one form of the present technology, showing the first PBhousing 4020 h 1 and the second PB housing 4020 h 2 in phantom.

FIG. 11f shows another perspective view of a pneumatic block 4020 inaccordance with one form of the present technology, showing the first PBhousing 4020 h 1 and the second PB housing 4020 h 2 in phantom.

FIG. 11g shows an elevation view of a pneumatic block 4020 in accordancewith one form of the present technology, showing the cross-section takenin FIG. 11 h.

FIG. 11h shows a cross-section view of a pneumatic block 4020 inaccordance with one form of the present technology as indicated on FIG.11 g.

FIG. 11i shows an elevation view of a pneumatic block 4020 in accordancewith one form of the present technology, showing the cross-section takenin FIG. 11 j.

FIG. 11j shows a cross-section view of a pneumatic block 4020 inaccordance with one form of the present technology as indicated on FIG.11 i.

FIG. 11k shows a perspective view of a blower sleeve 4020 bs inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 11l shows another perspective view of a blower sleeve 4020 bs inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 11m shows a yet another elevation view of a pneumatic block 4020 inaccordance with one form of the present technology, showing thecross-section taken in FIG. 11 n.

FIG. 11n shows a cross-section view of a pneumatic block 4020 inaccordance with one form of the present technology as indicated on FIG.11 m.

FIG. 11I shows a detailed cross-section view of a pneumatic block 4020in accordance with one form of the present technology as indicated onFIG. 11 n.

FIG. 12a shows a front perspective view of a user interface panel 4190in accordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 12b shows an exploded front perspective view of a user interfacepanel 4190 in accordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 12c shows a rear perspective view of a user interface panel 4190 inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 12d shows an exploded rear perspective view of a user interfacepanel 4190 in accordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 13a shows a perspective view of an RPT device 4000 with the frontpanel 4012 hidden in accordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 13b shows another perspective view of an RPT device 4000 with thefront panel 4012 hidden in accordance with one form of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 14a shows a front perspective view of a front panel 4012 inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 14b shows a rear perspective view of a front panel 4012 inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 15a shows a first menu screen 4295 m 1 in accordance with one formof the present technology.

FIG. 15b shows another first menu screen 4295 m 1 in accordance with oneform of the present technology.

FIG. 15c shows a first clinical menu screen 4295 m 2 in accordance withone form of the present technology.

FIG. 15d shows another first clinical menu screen 4295 m 2 in accordancewith one form of the present technology.

FIG. 15e shows a selectable sub-menu list 4295 o 1 in accordance withone form of the present technology.

FIG. 15f shows a selectable sub-menu list 4295 o 2 in accordance withone form of the present technology.

FIG. 15g shows a report sub-menu list 4295 r 1 in accordance with oneform of the present technology.

FIG. 15h shows a report sub-menu 4295 r 2 in accordance with one form ofthe present technology.

FIG. 15i shows a report sub-menu 4295 r 3 in accordance with one form ofthe present technology.

FIG. 15j shows a report sub-menu 4295 r 4 in accordance with one form ofthe present technology.

FIG. 15k shows a report sub-menu 4295 a 1 in accordance with one form ofthe present technology.

FIG. 15l shows a report sub-menu 4295 a 2 in accordance with one form ofthe present technology.

FIG. 15m shows a report sub-menu 4295 a 3 in accordance with one form ofthe present technology.

FIG. 15n shows a report sub-menu 4295 a 4 in accordance with one form ofthe present technology.

FIG. 15o shows a report sub-menu 4295 a 5 in accordance with one form ofthe present technology

FIG. 15p shows a report sub-menu 4295 a 6 in accordance with one form ofthe present technology.

FIG. 15q shows a report sub-menu 4295 a 7 in accordance with one form ofthe present technology.

FIG. 15r shows a report sub-menu 4295 a 8 in accordance with one form ofthe present technology.

FIG. 15s shows a selectable sub-menu 4295 s 1 in accordance with oneform of the present technology.

FIG. 15t shows a selectable sub-menu 4295 s 2 in accordance with oneform of the present technology.

FIG. 15u shows a selectable sub-menu 4295 s 3 in accordance with oneform of the present technology.

FIG. 15v shows a report sub-menu 4295 b 1 in accordance with one form ofthe present technology.

FIG. 15w shows a report sub-menu 4295 b 2 in accordance with one form ofthe present technology.

FIG. 15x shows a report sub-menu 4295 b 3 in accordance with one form ofthe present technology.

FIG. 15y shows a report sub-menu 4295 b 4 in accordance with one form ofthe present technology.

FIG. 16a shows a rear perspective view of an RPT device 4000 inaccordance with one form of the present technology, showing an aircircuit 4170 engaged with the RPT device 4000.

FIG. 16b shows a rear perspective view of an RPT device 4000 inaccordance with one form of the present technology, showing an aircircuit 4170 in exploded view.

FIG. 16c shows a perspective view of a water reservoir 5110 inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 16d shows another perspective view of a water reservoir 5110 inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 16e shows a perspective view of a water reservoir lid 5114 and anintermediate portion 5202 in accordance with one form of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 16f shows a perspective view of a water reservoir base 5112 inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 16g shows a perspective view of an RPT device 4000 comprising anintegrated humidifier 5000 and a water reservoir 5110 in accordance withone form of the present technology.

FIG. 16h shows a perspective view of an RPT device 4000 comprising anintegrated humidifier 5000 in accordance with one form of the presenttechnology, showing the water reservoir 5110 in exploded view.

FIG. 16i shows a perspective view of an RPT device 4000 comprising anintegrated humidifier 5000 in accordance with one form of the presenttechnology, not showing the water reservoir 5110.

FIG. 16j shows a perspective view of a water reservoir 5110 inaccordance with one form of the present technology, showing the waterreservoir 5110 in a closed configuration.

FIG. 16k shows a perspective view of a water reservoir 5110 inaccordance with one form of the present technology, showing the waterreservoir 5110 in an open configuration.

FIG. 16l shows a perspective view of an intermediate portion 5202 inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 16m shows a perspective view of an intermediate portion 5202 inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 17a shows a perspective view of a chassis 4016 in accordance withone form of the present technology.

FIG. 17b shows a perspective view of a chassis 4016 in accordance withone form of the present technology, showing the heating element 5240 inexploded view.

FIG. 17c shows a bottom perspective view of a chassis 4016 in accordancewith one form of the present technology.

FIG. 17d shows a bottom perspective view of a chassis 4016 in accordancewith one form of the present technology, showing the heating element5240 in exploded view.

FIG. 17e shows a rear perspective view of a chassis 4016 in accordancewith one form of the present technology.

FIG. 17f shows a rear perspective view of a chassis 4016 in accordancewith one form of the present technology, showing the heating element5240 in exploded view.

FIG. 17g shows a perspective view of a top of a HE seal 5243 inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 17h shows a perspective view of a bottom a HE seal 5243 inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 17i shows a perspective view of a top of a HE base cover 5244 inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 17j shows a perspective view of a bottom of a HE base cover 5244 inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 18a shows a perspective view of an air circuit 4170 in accordancewith one form of the present technology.

FIG. 18b shows an exploded perspective view of an air circuit 4170 inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 18c shows a side perspective view of a portion of an air circuit4170 in accordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 18d shows a bottom perspective view of a portion of an air circuit4170 in accordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 18e shows a top perspective view of a portion of an air circuit4170 in accordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 18f shows an exploded perspective view of an air circuit 4170, anoutlet assembly 5004 and an outlet tube 4006 in accordance with one formof the present technology.

FIG. 18g shows a perspective view of an air circuit 4170, an outletassembly 5004 and an outlet tube 4006 in accordance with one form of thepresent technology.

FIG. 18h shows a perspective view of an air circuit 4170, an outletassembly 5004 and an outlet tube 4006 in accordance with one form of thepresent technology, showing the air circuit 4170 in exploded view.

FIG. 18i shows another perspective view of an air circuit 4170, anoutlet assembly 5004 and an outlet tube 4006 in accordance with one formof the present technology.

FIG. 18j shows another exploded perspective view of an air circuit 4170,an outlet assembly 5004 and an outlet tube 4006 in accordance with oneform of the present technology.

FIG. 18k shows a bottom perspective view of a portion of an air circuit4170 and a portion of an outlet tube 4006 in accordance with one form ofthe present technology.

FIG. 18l shows a bottom perspective view of a portion of an air circuit4170 in accordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 18m shows a perspective view of a female electrical connector 5058in accordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 18n shows a side view of a female electrical connector 5058 inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 18o shows a perspective view of an AC electrical connector 4170 ecin accordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 18p shows a perspective view of an outlet assembly 5004 inaccordance with one form of the present technology, showing theswivelling disc 5050 at a first position.

FIG. 18q shows a perspective view of an outlet assembly 5004 inaccordance with one form of the present technology, showing theswivelling disc 5050 at a second position.

FIG. 18r shows a perspective view of an outlet assembly 5004 inaccordance with one form of the present technology, showing theswivelling disc 5050 at a third position.

FIG. 18s shows a perspective view of a cable housing 5080 in accordancewith one form of the present technology.

FIG. 18t shows a bottom perspective view of a cable housing 5080 inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 18u shows a top perspective view of a cable housing 5080 inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 18v shows a top perspective view of a swivelling disc 5050 inaccordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 18w shows a top perspective view of a cable housing 5080 and acable 5070 in accordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 18x shows a top perspective view of a cable housing 5080,swivelling disc 5050 and a cable 5070 in accordance with one form of thepresent technology.

FIG. 18y shows a bottom perspective view of a swivelling disc 5050 and acable 5070 in accordance with one form of the present technology.

FIG. 18z 1 shows a rear view of a female electrical connector accordingto an example of the present technology.

FIG. 18z 2 shows a perspective view of a female electrical connectoraccording to an example of the present technology.

FIG. 18z 3 shows a front-on view of a female electrical connectoraccording to an example of the present technology, indicating the crosssection taken for FIG. 18z 4.

FIG. 18z 4 shows a side cross-sectional view of a female electricalconnector according to an example of the present technology.

FIG. 18z 5 shows a rear perspective view of an electrical connectorreceiver contact element according to an example of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 18z 6 shows a front perspective view of an electrical connectorreceiver contact element according to an example of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 19 shows an example of the present technology, showing a PAP device4000 and an integrated humidifier 5000.

FIGS. 20-23 show various views of a humidifier reservoir 5110 inaccordance with one aspect of present technology, wherein FIGS. 20-21show the humidifier reservoir 5110 in a ‘closed’ configuration, FIG. 22shows the humidifier reservoir 5110 in an ‘open’ configuration, and FIG.23 is an exploded view of the humidifier reservoir 5110.

FIGS. 24-27 show the humidifier 5000 from various perspectives,demonstrating the engagement of the humidifier reservoir 5110 with thereservoir dock 5130 and/or engagement of the humidifier 5000 with theair circuit 4170.

FIGS. 28a-30c show a time-lapse chart of an exemplary flow path of gasas it enters the humidifier reservoir 5110 through the inlet 5118 andexits through the outlet 5122 after traversing through the inside of thehumidifier reservoir 5110.

FIGS. 31-32 show exemplary distributions of pressure/force in thehumidifier reservoir 5110 in various configurations.

FIGS. 33-40 show varying configurations of the reservoir lid 5114, inparticular variations in configurations of the inlet tube 5124 and theoutlet tube 5126 according to aspects of the present technology.

FIGS. 41a, 41b and 42 show the humidifier reservoir 5110 and inparticular they aim to show the orifice 5138.

FIGS. 41c and 41d show the humidifier base 5112 and in particular theyaim to show the sloped profile 5139.

FIGS. 43-44 show the humidifier dock 5130 and the humidifier reservoir5110, and in particular show the interaction between the lid retentionprotrusion 5142 and the dock locking recess 5144 according to one aspectof the present technology.

FIG. 45 shows the humidifier reservoir 5110 according to another exampleof the current technology, wherein it is configured with a re-fillingcap 5180 and a base, top and variable portion may be affixed together.

FIGS. 46-49 shows other representations of a humidifier reservoir 5110according to an aspect of the present technology, with particular regardto the arrangement of the inlet tube 5124 and the outlet tube 5126.

FIG. 50 shows a cross-sectional view of a reservoir lid 5114 and avariable portion in the form of a variable portion 5116 according to anaspect of the present technology.

FIG. 51 shows an example of the humidifier reservoir 5110 according toanother example of the current technology, wherein it is configured witha latch 5186.

FIGS. 52a -53 show a portion of the humidifier reservoir 5110 accordingto another example of the current technology. In this configuration, thereservoir 5110 comprises a reservoir lid 5114 including an inlet tube5124, an intermediate portion 5202 which comprises an outlet tube 5126and a base portion 5112 (as seen in an exploded view shown in FIG. 53).

FIGS. 54a-54b show the intermediate portion 5202 of the reservoir 5110from various angles. In particular they aim to show the baffle 5192, theoutlet tube 5126 and the support spokes 5194.

FIG. 55 shows a perspective bottom view of the intermediate portion 5202of the reservoir 5110.

FIGS. 56a-56b show a cross section of the reservoir lid 5114 and theintermediate portion 5202 connected together. FIG. 56b shows the crosssection of the baffle 5192 in further detail, in particular thearrangement of the vertical portion of the inlet tube 5124, the locatingportion 5196 of the baffle 5192 and the deflector portion 5198 of thebaffle 5192.

FIG. 57 shows an upper portion of the humidifier reservoir 5110according to another example of the current technology. In thisconfiguration, the reservoir 5110 comprises a reservoir lid portion5114, a base portion (not shown), and an intermediate portion 5202 thatcomprises an outlet tube 5126, an inlet tube 5124 as well as a wallportion 5206.

FIGS. 58a-58b show a portion of the humidifier reservoir 5110 accordingto another example of the current technology. FIGS. 58a-58b show thereservoir lid 5114 connected to the intermediate portion 5202, and inparticular they aim to show the inlet tube 5124, the outlet tube 5126,the deflector portion 5198 and the flow director 5195.

FIGS. 59a-59b show the intermediate portion 5202 according to anotherexample of the current technology, and in particular they aim to showthe deflector portion 5198, the flow director 5195, the locating portion5196 and the seal 5204.

FIG. 60 shows a portion of the humidifier reservoir 5110 according toanother example of the current technology. In particular, FIG. 60 showsa water level 5184 at which the air locks would be formed to preventfurther ingress of liquid into the reservoir 5110 when the predeterminedmaximum volume of liquid is in the reservoir 5110.

FIGS. 61a-62b show various views of a humidifier reservoir 5110 inaccordance with one aspect of present technology, wherein FIGS. 61a-62ashow the humidifier reservoir 5110 in a ‘closed’ configuration, FIG. 62bshows the humidifier reservoir 5110 in an ‘open’ configuration.

FIGS. 63a-63b show various views of a humidifier reservoir 5110 inaccordance with one aspect of present technology. FIG. 63a shows a planview of the humidifier reservoir 5110 in an ‘open configuration’,indicating a cross section to be shown in FIG. 63b , and FIG. 63b showsthe reservoir 5110 with the cross section taken through line 63 b-63 bof FIG. 63a visible.

FIGS. 64-65 show various views of a reservoir base 5114 in accordancewith one aspect of present technology.

FIG. 66 shows an exploded of an RPT device 4000, humidifier 5000, andend cap 5300 in accordance with one aspect of the present technology.

FIG. 67 shows a side perspective view of an end cap 5300 according toone aspect of the present technology.

FIG. 68a shows an exploded bottom perspective view of a portion of a RPTdevice/humidifier and an airflow tube according to an example of thepresent technology.

FIG. 68b shows a bottom perspective view of a portion of a RPTdevice/humidifier and an airflow tube according to an example of thepresent technology.

FIG. 68c shows an exploded rear perspective view of a portion of a RPTdevice/humidifier and an airflow tube according to an example of thepresent technology.

FIG. 68d shows a rear perspective view of a portion of a RPTdevice/humidifier and an airflow tube according to an example of thepresent technology.

FIG. 68e shows a rear perspective view of a portion of a RPTdevice/humidifier, an airflow tube and a cable housing according to anexample of the present technology.

FIG. 69a shows a side view of an airflow tube according to an example ofthe present technology.

FIG. 69b shows another side view of an airflow tube according to anexample of the present technology.

FIG. 69c shows another side view of an airflow tube according to anexample of the present technology.

FIG. 69d shows an exploded perspective view of an airflow tube accordingto an example of the present technology.

FIG. 70a shows a top view of an outlet assembly according to an exampleof the present technology.

FIG. 70b shows a cross-sectional view of the outlet assembly of FIG. 70ataken through line 70 b-70 b according to an example of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 70c shows a cross-sectional view of the outlet assembly of FIG. 70ataken through line 70 c-70 c according to an example of the presenttechnology.

5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF THE TECHNOLOGY

Before the present technology is described in further detail, it is tobe understood that the technology is not limited to the particularexamples described herein, which may vary. It is also to be understoodthat the terminology used in this disclosure is for the purpose ofdescribing only the particular examples discussed herein, and is notintended to be limiting.

5.1 Therapy

In one form, the present technology comprises a method for treating arespiratory disorder comprising the step of applying positive pressureto the entrance of the airways of a patient 1000.

In certain embodiments of the present technology, a supply of air atpositive pressure is provided to the nasal passages of the patient viaone or both nares.

In certain embodiments of the present technology, mouth breathing islimited, restricted or prevented.

5.2 Treatment Systems

In one form, the present technology comprises an apparatus or device fortreating a respiratory disorder. The apparatus or device may comprise anRPT device 4000 for supplying pressurised respiratory gas, such as air,to the patient 1000 via an air circuit 4170 to a patient interface 3000.

5.3 Patient Interface 3000

A non-invasive patient interface 3000 in accordance with one aspect ofthe present technology comprises the following functional aspects: aseal-forming structure 3100, a plenum chamber 3200, a vent 3400, apositioning and stabilising structure 3300 and one form of connectionport 3600 for connection to air circuit 4170. The patient interface 3000may optionally include a forehead support structure 3700 that coupleswith the stabilising structure 3300. In some forms a functional aspectmay be provided by one or more physical components. In some forms, onephysical component may provide one or more functional aspects. In usethe seal-forming structure 3100 is arranged to surround an entrance tothe airways of the patient so as to facilitate the supply of air atpositive pressure to the airways.

5.4 RPT Device 4000

An exploded view of an RPT device 4000 in accordance with one aspect ofthe present technology is shown in FIG. 5a . An RPT device 4000 maycomprise mechanical and pneumatic components, electrical components andbe configured to execute one or more algorithms. The RPT device mayinclude one or more panel(s) such as a front panel 4012 and a side panel4014. The RPT device 4000 may also comprise an outlet muffler 4124 asshown in FIGS. 5a and 5b . The outlet muffler 4124 may be removable andreplaced with a water reservoir 5110 (see FIG. 5c ). In such forms, theRPT device 4000 may be considered to include an integrated humidifier5000. Thus, the RPT device 4000 may be used with or withouthumidification depending upon whether the water reservoir 5110 or theoutlet muffler 4124 respectively is attached. Preferably the RPT device4000 comprises a chassis 4016 that supports one or more internalcomponents of the RPT device 4000. In one form the RPT device 4000comprises a pressure generator 4140, which may be housed in a pneumaticblock 4020 coupled to the chassis 4016.

The pneumatic path of the RPT device 4000 (e.g. shown in FIG. 5d ) maycomprise an inlet air filter 4112, an inlet muffler 4122, a pressuregenerator 4140 capable of supplying air at positive pressure (preferablya blower 4142) and an outlet muffler 4124 (or a water reservoir 5110 ifhumidification is required). One or more transducers 4270, such aspressure sensors 4272 and flow sensors 4274 may be included in thepneumatic path. The pneumatic path may also include anti-spill backvalve 4160 to prevent water from the humidifier 5000 spilling back tothe electrical components of the RPT device 4000.

The RPT device 4000 may comprise one or more electrical components whichmay be mounted on a single Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) such asthe main PCBA 4202. In an alternative form, the RPT device 4000 mayinclude more than one PCBAs.

5.4.1 RPT Device Components

An RPT device may comprise one or more of the following components in anintegral unit. In an alternative form, one or more of the followingcomponents may be located as respective separate units.

5.4.1.1 Air Filter(s) 4110

An RPT device in accordance with one form of the present technology mayinclude one or more air filters 4110.

In one form the pneumatic path may comprise an inlet air filter 4112(e.g. upstream of a pressure generator 4140) and another air filter 4114(e.g. downstream of the pressure generator 4140) such as anantibacterial filter placed within the pneumatic path at a locationbetween an outlet of the pneumatic block 4020 and a patient interface3000. See FIG. 5 d.

5.4.1.2 Side Panel 4014

In one form, the RPT device 4000 may comprise a side panel 4014 as shownin FIGS. 6a-6c . The side panel 4014 may comprise one or more RPT deviceinlets 4002 configured to receive a flow of air into the RPT device4000. As shown in FIG. 6a , the RPT device inlet 4002 may comprise aplurality of apertures configured to allow a flow of air therethrough.

The side panel 4014 (see FIG. 6a ) may be configured to house the inletair filter 4112, and comprise a side panel frame 4014 f and an inlet airfilter cover 4014 fc configured to secure the inlet air filter 4112relative to the side panel frame 4014 f. The inlet air filter cover 4014fc may be coupled, preferably removably coupled or pivotably coupled,(as shown in FIGS. 6b-6c ) to the side panel frame 4014 f so as to allowreplacement of the inlet air filter 4112. The inlet air filter cover4014 fc may further comprise a filter cover handle (e.g. a recess) 4014ch for the user to access to open and close the inlet air filter cover4014 fc, and a retaining feature (e.g. a latch, not shown) to secure theinlet air filter cover 4014 fc in its closed configuration.

The side panel 4014 may comprise an air filter housing 4014 h configuredto locate the inlet air filter 4112 therein, for example as a part ofthe inlet air filter cover 4014 fc as shown in FIG. 6c . The air filterhousing 4014 h comprises a plurality of walls 4014 w configured tolocate the inlet air filter 4112, for example as the inlet air filtercover 4014 fc is pivoted relative to the side panel frame 4014 f.

The RPT device inlet 4002 may be configured with a plurality ofapertures as shown in FIGS. 6a-6c . The plurality of aperture may allowa flow of air therethrough in a direction parallel to an inlet of thepneumatic block 4020 as described in further detail below.

The side panel 4014 may further comprise one or more connection ports4014 cp (e.g. as shown in FIG. 6d ) to allow access to removable storagemedia and accessories such as communication devices or USB ports.Accordingly, the side panel 4014 may comprise one or more access covers4014 ac (e.g. as shown in FIGS. 6a, 6c and 6d ) for protection of theconnection ports 4014 cp, from one or more of: ingress ofwater/dust/contaminants and accidental removal of the removable storagemedia or accessories. The access covers 4104 ac may also be used foraesthetic purposes.

The access cover 4014 ac may comprise one or more access cover anchoringportions 4014 an which may be used to couple the access cover 4014 ac tothe side panel frame 4014 f (e.g. by insertion into a slot—not shown).The cover portions 4014 co may protect the connection ports 4014 cp, forexample by including one or more complementary recesses 4014 re toreceive any protruding portions of the connection ports 4014 cp. Theaccess cover 4014 ac may further comprise one or more access cover hingeportions 4014 hi. In some forms, the access cover hinge portion 4014 himay be integrally formed with the cover portions 4014 co and the anchorportion 4014 an of the access cover 4014 ac for improvedmanufacturability and lower cost.

5.4.1.3 Muffler(s) 4120

In one form of the present technology, an inlet muffler 4122 is locatedin the pneumatic path upstream of a pressure generator 4140. See FIG. 5d.

In one form of the present technology, an outlet muffler 4124 is locatedin the pneumatic path between the pressure generator 4140 and a patientinterface 3000. See FIG. 5 d.

The outlet muffler 4124 may be a removable component of the RPT device4000 as shown in FIGS. 7a-7b . The RPT device 4000 may comprise acorresponding dock 4130 (described in further detail below) configuredto receive the outlet muffler 4124 or a water reservoir 5110. Such anarrangement may allow a manufacture of the RPT device 4000 and theintegrated humidifier 5000 to easily convert between a firstconfiguration, in which no humidification is provided when the outletmuffler 4124 in located in the dock 4130, to a second configuration thatenables humidification, where the water reservoir 5110 is located in thedock 4130 and vice versa. For instance, where humidification is desired,the outlet muffler 4124 may be removed using the muffler lever 41241 eto allow the RPT device 4000 to receive a water reservoir 5110. In oneform, insertion of the water reservoir 5110 into the dock 4130 wouldallow humidification of the flow of air from the pneumatic block 4020before delivery to the patient 1000 as will be described in furtherdetail below.

The outlet muffler 4124 may comprise an identification element, to allowa controller, such as the central controller 4230 or the humiditycontroller 5250, to detect its presence (or absence), for example in thedock 4130. The dock 4130 may comprise a complementary detection element,to detect the presence (or absence) of the outlet muffler 4124. In oneform, detection of the presence or absence of the outlet muffler 4124 inthe reservoir dock 5130 may cause the controller to perform one morefunctions including: switch off/on the heating element 5240, adjust thepower output of the heating element 5240, switch off/on a heatingelement in the air circuit 4170, adjust the power output of the heatingelement in the air circuit 4170, adjust the pressure drop estimationbetween the pressure generator 4140 and the patient interface 3000,disable/enable user interface elements relating to operation of thehumidifier 5000, or disable/enable data logging/data reporting relatingto operation of the humidifier 5000. In one form, the outlet muffler4124 may comprise an identification element (shown in the form of amagnet 5340) disposed thereon, such as in an end cap magnet holder 5345.The identification element may be used for detection of the outletmuffler 4124 by the controller via the detection element. For examplethe detection element may include a Hall Effect sensor (not shown)located in or near the dock 4130 such as on the PCBA 4202.

One advantage of an outlet muffler 4124 comprising an identificationelement, may be to allow reduced power consumption or customisedoperation of the humidifier 5000 where an outlet muffler 4124 is used. Afurther advantage of having the heating element on by default and turnedoff by engagement of the outlet muffler 4124 is in a single step ofinstalling the outlet muffler 4124 both the heating element 5240 isdeactivated and access to the heater plate is prevented.

In one form, the outlet muffler 4124 receives a flow of air from thepneumatic block 4020, and delivers the flow of air to the RPT deviceoutlet 4004. Thus the outlet muffler 4124 may comprise a muffler entry4124 in and a muffler exit 4124 ou. The outlet muffler 4124 may alsocomprise additional components such as a muffler cap 4124 ca, a mufflerbody 4124 bo, a muffler damper 4124 da and a muffler foam 4124 fo shownin FIGS. 7e -7 f.

The outlet muffler 4124 may comprise a muffler lever 41241 e fordisengaging the outlet muffler 4124 from the rest of the RPT device4000, for example by releasing a latch. The muffler lever 41241 e isconfigured (in FIGS. 7a-7f ) to be depressed from above to disengage theoutlet muffler 4124, for example by releasing one or more muffler clips4124 cl from the one or more complementary recesses 4130 re in the dock4130 (shown in FIG. 7b , and in more detail in FIG. 16i ). It would beunderstood that the outlet muffler 4124 could comprise one or more ofany number of known means to removably couple the outlet muffler 4124 tothe RPT device 4000. The outlet muffler 4124 may further comprise one ormore muffler clips 4124 cl with the RPT device 4000, for examplecomprising a muffler hinge 4124 hi. In some forms, the outlet muffler4124 may comprise a muffler travel limiter 4124 tl configured to preventdamage to the muffler hinge 4124 hi, which may occur for example due toplastic deformation where the muffler hinge 4124 hi is of a ‘livinghinge’ configuration. Yet further, the muffler travel limiter 4124 tlmay be configured to engage with the muffler lever 41241 e and deform asthe muffler lever 41241 e is activated (e.g. depressed). In such anarrangement, the travel limiter 4124 tl may provide feedback to the userupon engagement of the muffler lever 41241 e with the muffler travellimiter 4124 td, and may provide a varying degree of resistance toindicate the extent of deformation occurred. As shown in FIGS. 7e-7f ,the muffler damper 4124 da may be integrally formed with the mufflertravel limiter 4124 tl. In some forms, the muffler damper 4124 may beconfigured to engage the muffler cap 4124 ca and/or the muffler body4124 bo by friction.

Similarly, the outlet muffler 4124 may be configured so that the mufflerlever 41241 e must be depressed to allow the outlet muffler 4124 to beinserted into the dock 4130. In one form, the one or more muffler clips4124 cl may be configured to interfere with the dock 4130 if the outletmuffler 4124 is inserted without depression of the muffler lever 41241e. Upon insertion of the outlet muffler 4124 into the dock 4130, the oneor more muffler clips 4124 cl moves to engage with the dock 4130 (e.g.by upwards motion), thereby securing the outlet muffler 4124 into thedock 4130.

The outlet muffler 4124 may comprise one or more acoustic features toreduce the noise output of the RPT device 4000, such as muffler foam4124 fo and a muffler damper 4124 da as shown in FIGS. 7e-7f . Themuffler damper 4124 da may be coupled with the muffler cap 4124 ca andmay be formed of a flexible material, such as silicone, to dampen noise.Furthermore, the outlet muffler 4124 may comprise a muffler expansionchamber 4124 ex formed therein to reduce noise. In the form shown inFIG. 7e , the muffler expansion chamber 4124 ex may be a cavity formedin the muffler body 4124 bo.

5.4.1.4 Pressure Generator 4140

In one form of the present technology, a pressure generator 4140 forproducing a flow, or a supply, of air at positive pressure is acontrollable blower 4142. For example the blower 4142 may include abrushless DC motor 4144 with one or more impellers housed in a volute.The blower may be preferably capable of delivering a supply of air, forexample at a rate of up to about 120 litres/minute, at a positivepressure in a range from about 4 cmH₂O to about 20 cmH₂O, or in otherforms up to about 30 cmH₂O. The blower may be as described in any one ofthe following patents or patent applications the contents of which areincorporated herein in their entirety: U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,866,944;8,638,014; 8,636,479; and PCT patent application publication number WO2013/020167.

The pressure generator 4140 may be under the control of the therapydevice controller 4240.

In other forms, a pressure generator 4140 may be a piston-driven pump, apressure regulator connected to a high pressure source (e.g. compressedair reservoir), or a bellows.

5.4.1.5 Pneumatic Block 4020

In one form, a pneumatic block 4020 comprising a pressure generator 4140(e.g. blower 4142) may form a part of the RPT device 4000. The pneumaticblock may for example comprise a configuration described in PCT patentapplication publication umber WO 2013/020167, the entire contents ofwhich is incorporated herewithin in its entirety by reference.

A pneumatic block 4020 according to one aspect of the present technologyis shown in FIGS. 11a-11d . The pneumatic block 4020 may comprise a PBinlet 4020 in, a PB outlet 4020 ou, and house a blower 4142. Accordingto one aspect of the present technology, the pneumatic block 4020 mayprovide a compact, enclosed pneumatic path for the air flow whileminimising noise and vibration outputs due to the said air flow.Furthermore, such a pneumatic block 4020 may allow the external housing4010 to be arranged independently thereof for added flexibility in theaesthetics of the RPT device 4000 in relation to the pneumatic block4020.

The pneumatic block 4020 may also comprise one or more of a flow plate4020 fp, a blower sleeve 4020 bs, one or more sensor ports such as flowsensor port 4020 sp and acoustic foam 4020 af. The pneumatic block 4020may include an outer housing, for example including a first PB housing4020 h 1 and a second PB housing 4020 h 2. The PB inlet 4020 in and thePB outlet 4020 ou may be arranged on the first PB housing 4020 h 1 andthe second PB housing 4020 h 2 respectively.

The flow plate 4020 fp may divide the interior of the pneumatic block4020 into a first chamber 4020 c 1, a second chamber 4020 c 2 and theinterior of the blower sleeve 4020 bs. In one form, the flow of airwould be received into the pneumatic block 4020 through the PB inlet4020 in, and enter the PB inlet tube 4020 it (shown in FIG. 11d and FIG.11h ). The PB inlet tube 4020 it delivers the flow of air to the firstchamber 4020 c 1, from which the flow of air travels to the secondchamber 4020 c 2. In one form, a plurality of flow tubes 4020 ft locatedon the flow plate 4020 fp (e.g. as shown in FIGS. 11d-11f ) may deliverthe flow of air from the first chamber 4020 c 1 to the second chamber4020 c 2. The flow plate 4020 fp may comprise a cavity through which thePB inlet tube 4020 it may travel to deliver the flow of air to the firstchamber 4020 c 1. The flow tubes 4020 ft may additionally be used todetermine the rate of flow as will be described in further detail below.The second chamber 4020 c 2 then delivers the flow of air to the blower4142 through the blower inlet 4142 in (see FIG. 11c ), wherein the flowof air is pressurised and exits through the blower outlet 4142 ou beforeexiting the pneumatic block 4020 through the PB outlet 4020 ou as shownin FIG. 11j . In one form, the flow plate 4020 fp may compriseapproximately 10-15 flow tubes 4020 ft, such as 11-14, such as 12 flowtubes as shown in FIG. 11e . The flow tube 4020 ft may be tapered in oneform, such as shown in FIG. 11j , in a converging direction from thefirst chamber 4020 c 1 to the second chamber 4020 c 2.

The PB inlet 4020 in may comprise a flexible portion, such as the PBinlet insert 4020 ii as shown in FIG. 11h . The flexible portion mayhelp the PB inlet 4020 in to be correctly aligned with the RPT deviceinlet 4002, by for example resiliently conforming to allow for any axialor radial misalignment therebetween. Yet further, the flexible portionmay reduce mechanical load or stress on the pneumatic block 4020 whileallowing for the axial or radial misalignment, as the modulus of theflexible portion may be significantly smaller than that of the housingof the pneumatic block such as the first PB housing 4020 h 1 and thesecond PB housing 4020 h 2. In one form, the flexible portion may beconstructed from flexible materials such as silicone, and the housing ofthe pneumatic block, including the first PB housing 4020 h 1 and thesecond PB housing 4020 h 2, may be constructed from a more rigidmaterial such as polypropylene, although it will be understood that arange of other materials may be suitable for both.

The blower sleeve 4020 bs (as shown in FIGS. 11k and 11l ) may be madefrom a flexible, resilient material such as silicone. In one form, theblower sleeve 4020 bs may act as a suspension member to reduce noise andvibration output from the blower 4142 which may be transmitted to thepatient 1000 (or the bed partner 1100). The blower sleeve 4020 bs mayalso comprise a chamber configured to receive the flow of air from theblower outlet 4142 ou and deliver the flow air to the PB outlet 4020 ouas shown in FIG. 11j . In one form, the blower sleeve 4020 bs isconfigured to accept the blower 4142, and sealingly engage the flowplate 4020 fp, for example, by one or more sleeve tabs 4020 st locatedon the blower sleeve 4020 bs.

The blower sleeve 4020 bs may also comprise a sleeve pull tab 4020 ptconfigured to assist in assembly of the blower sleeve 4020 bs with otherparts of the pneumatic block such as the second PB housing 4020 h 2. Thesleeve pull tab 4020 pt may be configured as an elongated tab suitablefor manual gripping, such that a person (or automated device) assemblingthe pneumatic block 4020 may hold the sleeve pull tab 4020 pt, and pullthrough the PB outlet rim 4020 or (as shown in FIG. 11d ) to locate thePB outlet 4020 ou with respect to the second PB housing 4020 h 2. Oneadvantage of such an arrangement would be reduced assembly time, whileanother would be accurate location of the PB outlet 4020 ou whileachieving desired suspension characteristics of the blower sleeve 4020bs.

The flow sensor ports 4020 sp may be accessible from an exterior of thepneumatic block 4020 and fluidly couple to a flow transducer 4274 (notshown). The flow sensor ports 4020 sp may also be fluidly coupled to theflow path, such as in the pneumatic block 4020 to allow the flowtransducer 4274 to measure the rate of flow through the RPT device 4000.In one form, the flow sensor ports 4020 sp may be connected to the firstchamber 4020 c 1 and the second chamber 4020 c 2 so that the flow sensorwould measure the drop in pressure between the first chamber 4020 c 1and the second chamber 4020 c 2. The flow sensor ports 4020 sp may beintegrally formed with an enclosure of the pneumatic block 4020 such asthe first PB housing 4020 h 1, or alternatively may be a part of aseparate component such as the PB sensor coupler 4020 sc. Some or all ofthe flow sensor ports 4020 sp may be flexibly configured to assist incorrectly aligning and engaging the flow transducer 4274 with thepneumatic block 4020.

Introduction of any water onto the flow sensor ports 4020 sp mayadversely affect operation of the flow transducer 4274, for example byat least partially occluding a port for sensing of air pressure. It isalso known that there may be a risk of water ingress into the RPT device4000, for example when the RPT device 4000 is used with a humidifier5000, as the RPT device 4000 may be in close proximity to water, and asthe humidifier 5000 may contain water therein. Accordingly, each flowsensor flow path connecting respective flow sensor ports 4020 sp to thechambers 4020 c 1 and 4020 c 2 may comprise one or more water ingressprevention features, such as a PB water trap 4020 wt, or a PB watershield 4020 ws (see FIG. 110). According to one form, the PB water trap4020 wt may be a recessed portion in the flow sensor flow pathconfigured to hold a predetermined volume of water, while allowing airflow through the flow sensor flow path. A PB water shield 4020 ws maycomprise a port of small cross section area configured to allow a flowof air therethrough, however prevent ingress of water due to the highersurface tension of water. To further discourage any water frominterfering with operation of the flow sensor, the port of the PB watershield 4020 ws may be horizontally oriented and/or be located towards atop portion of the pneumatic block 4020. In one form, the port of the PBwater shield 4020 ws may be approximately 1 mm, for example at itssmallest diameter, although it will be understood that other sizes maybe also suitable to prevent ingress of water through the port. In oneform the PB water shield 4020 ws may be located such that the port isarranged to be substantially flat and/or vertical at its outermostsurface, at which point its diameter may be the smallest. Furthermore,the flow sensor port 4020 sp may be arranged perpendicularly to therespective port of the PB water shield 4020 ws that the flow sensor port4020 sp is fluidly connected to. In one form, the flow sensor port 4020sp may be configured that any water which does make its way through theport of the PB water shield 4020 ws (or an equivalent air path) mustrotate (e.g. through 90 degrees) to travel to the flow sensor, such asby travelling upwards in the normal, working orientation of the RPTdevice 4000. The PB water shield 4020 ws may be formed integrally withthe enclosure of the pneumatic block 4020 (e.g. first PB housing 4020 h1), or alternatively may be formed separately, to be inserted into theenclosure (e.g. by interference fit, as shown in FIG. 11n ) or connectedto the enclosure (e.g. by welding, not shown). Yet further, the flowsensor flow path 4020 fp may be configured so that the flow sensor port4020 sp may be located above the height of the corresponding openings ofthe flow sensor flow path in each chamber 4020 c 1 and 4020 c 2. Thismay further prevent ingress of water into the flow sensor 4274.

5.4.1.6 Chassis 4016

The RPT device 4000 may comprise a chassis 4016 as shown in FIGS. 8a-8f, wherein the chassis 4016 may provide a structural frame for the RPTdevice 4000. The platform 4016 pl may comprise an external wall of theRPT device 4000 in some forms as shown in FIG. 5a and FIG. 8b . Thechassis 4016 may also locate one or more components such as the externalhousing 4010, the pneumatic block 4020, the PCBA 4202, and the outletmuffler 4124 as seen in FIG. 5 a.

In one form, the chassis 4016 may comprise a platform 4016 pl (see FIGS.8a-8b ) configured to support the pneumatic block 4020. The chassis 4016may comprise a dock 4130 configured to receive the outlet muffler 4124(or the water reservoir 5110), for example into a cavity therein, toconnect the outlet muffler 4124 or the water reservoir 5110 to thepneumatic path. The dock 4130 may receive a portion of the outletmuffler 4124 as shown. The dock 4130 may include a dock outlet 4132configured to deliver a flow of air into the outlet muffler 4124 or thewater reservoir 5110 when inserted, and a dock inlet 4134 to receive aflow of air from the outlet muffler 4124 or the water reservoir 5110when inserted as shown in FIGS. 8c-8d . The chassis 4016 may alsocomprise an RPT device outlet 4004 as shown in FIG. 8e , wherein the RPTdevice outlet 4004 may be removably coupled to the chassis 4016. Thedock outlet 4132 may be configured to fluidly couple with the mufflerentry 4124 in or the water reservoir inlet 5118. The dock inlet 4134 maybe configured to fluidly couple with the muffler exit 4124 ou or thewater reservoir outlet 5122.

In one form, the dock inlet 4134 and the dock outlet 4132 may eachcomprise a bellows type face seal. The seal may be engaged to abut thecomplementary portion of the outlet muffler 4124 (e.g. 4124 ou or 4124in as shown in FIG. 7e ) or the water reservoir 5110 (e.g. 5118 or 5222as shown in FIG. 16d ) or as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,544,465, theentire contents of which is incorporated herewithin by reference. Oneadvantage of such a bellows type face seal may be that it allows formisalignments in axial and radial directions. As such a seal would abutthe complementary portion, this configuration may be radially moretolerant to misalignment than an arrangement where, for example, onemale connector is inserted into a female connector. Furthermore, theflexibility of such a seal would allow for axial misalignments to bepresent without adversely affecting performance of the RPT device 4000(or the humidifier 5000).

An outlet tube 4006 may comprise the RPT device outlet 4004 and the dockinlet 4134, as well as being removably coupled to the dock 4130. In someforms, a separate intermediate tube 4008 may comprise the dock outlet4132. The intermediate tube 4008 may be configured to couple to thepneumatic block 4020 to receive a flow of air from the pneumatic block4020 for delivery to the dock 4130. The intermediate tube 4008 mayfurther comprise a dock outlet pressure port 4132 pp for measuring theair pressure at the dock outlet 4132.

The outlet tube 4006 may comprise an outlet tube latch portion 40061 aconfigured to engage with a complementary feature in the dock 4130, suchas the dock outlet slot 4130 sl. The outlet tube 4006 may furthercomprise one or more outlet tube guide portions 4006 gu, which mayassist in correct insertion of the outlet tube 4006 into the dock 4130by engagement with one or more corresponding dock guide portions 4130gu. An outlet tube guide portion 4006 gu may comprise a flat plate inone form as shown in FIG. 8g , configured to be engaged and directed bythe dock guide portions 4130 gu, which may be sloped to direct theoutlet tube 4006 to its intended position, such as to engage the outlettube latch portion 40061 a with the dock outlet slot 4130 sl.

The outlet end 4006 oe may also be formed with an ISO taper, such as a22 mm outer diameter ISO taper, to allow connection of standardnon-heated air circuit.

As seen in FIGS. 8g and 8h the outlet tube 4006 may comprise a flowbend, having an internal circular or curved cross-section configured toreduce the impedance of the air flow through the outlet tube 4006. Theoutlet tube 4006 may be constructed in two-parts as shown in FIG. 8h ,wherein a first portion 4006 a is moulded from rigid material such asBisphenol A (BPA) free polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene(PC/ABS), and the second portion 4006 b comprising at least a part ofthe flow bend is overmoulded from a compliant material such as silicone.Use of a compliant material to form the second portion 4006 b thatcomprises a portion of the bend may allow withdrawal of a moulding toolthat comprises the internal bend from the internal cavity at the end ofthe moulding process by deforming the second portion 4006 b.

The outlet tube 4006 may also include a retaining flange 4006 fl toassist in at least one of locating or securing the outlet tube 4006 tothe RPT device 4000 or the humidifier 5000, or a housing or chassisthereof. The retaining flange 4006 fl may assist in correctly locatingor positioning the outlet end 4006 oe of the outlet tube 4006 within theoutlet of the RPT device 4000 or humidifier 5000 as shown in FIG. 8e ,for example by abutting a locating flange in the RPT device 4000 and/orhumidifier 5000. It should be understood that the retaining flange 4006fl may allow for fixed attachment of the outlet tube 4006. The retainingflange 4006 fl may, alternatively, allow for removable attachment of theoutlet tube 4006 so that it may be cleaned or replaced.

The outlet tube 4006 may include an inlet end 4006 ie that connects tothe humidifier 5000 or the RPT device 4000 as shown in FIG. 8b-8f . Theinlet end 4006 ie may comprise a pressure activated face seal or bellowsseal to provide sealed pneumatic connection from an outlet of the RPTdevice 4000 and/or the humidifier 5000, such as the dock outlet 4132described above. In another example of the present technology, theoutlet tube 4006 may be connected at the inlet end 4006 ie to at leastone conduit that is in turn connected to a RPT device 4000 and/or ahumidifier 5000. In any of these scenarios one function of the outlettube 4006, and specifically the inlet end 4006 ie, may be to receive theflow of gas from the RPT device 4000 and/or the humidifier 5000 anddirect it outside of the device to the air circuit 4170 via the outletconnector 4170 oc. The outlet tube 4006 also facilitates rotation of theoutlet connector 4170 oc of the air circuit 4170 by allowing the outletconnector 4170 oc to rotate around the outlet end 4006 oe.

A portion of the RPT device 4000 is shown in FIGS. 8g-8h and 18i-18jwith the outlet tube 4006 and/or the cable housing 5080. The outlet tube4006 may also incorporate a latch portion 40061 a to connect with acomplementary receiving portion (such as the dock outlet slot 4130 sl)of the RPT device 4000 and/or the humidifier 5000 to locate and/orretain the airflow tube in a correct position within the RPT device 4000and/or the humidifier 5000 as described above. The engagement of thelatch portion 40061 a with the dock outlet slot 4130 sl may provide asensory feedback, such as a click, to indicate correct connection. Thelatch portion 40061 a may be further configured so that the outlet tube4006 would be dislodged from receiving portion as it disengagestherefrom. The latch portion 40061 a may be a different colour to thecomplementary receiving portion or RPT device 4000 and/or the humidifier5000 component for improved visibility. In certain circumstances, theoutlet tube 4006 and/or the complementary receiving portion may beconfigured so that a button such as at the end of the latch portion40061 a may be used to release the outlet tube 4006 from thecomplementary receiving portion. A tool may be used to release theoutlet tube 4006 from the receiving portion.

The outlet tube 4006 may be configured so that engagement of the latchportion 40061 a with the complementary receiving portion also completesa pneumatic connection between the air circuit 4170 and the RPT device4000 and/or the humidifier 5000 when the air circuit 4170 is attached tothe RPT device 4000 and/or humidifier 5000. Accordingly, it may bepossible to detect the absence or incorrect connection of the outlettube 4006 or a disengagement thereof by detection of air leak.

In a further optional arrangement, when the outlet connector 4170 oc ofthe air circuit 4170 is connected to the RPT device 4000 and/or thehumidifier 5000 the connection action may be configured to ensure thecorrect connection of the outlet tube 4006 with the complementaryreceiving portion. Incorrect connection of the outlet tube 4006 to thecomplementary receiving portion may prevent the outlet connector 4170 ocfrom being able to connect correctly to the outlet tube 4006, which maybe indicated by the RPT device 4000 through detection of a high leakflow, for example. In a further alternative the outlet connector 4170 ocof the air circuit 4170 may be used to facilitate insertion and/orremoval of the outlet tube 4006 from the RPT device 4000 and/or thehumidifier 5000.

As discussed above, when the air circuit 4170 is attached to the RPTdevice 4000 and/or humidifier 5000, the outlet end 4006 of the outlettube 4006 may be coupled to the outlet connection region 5056 of theoutlet connector 4170 oc.

The dock 4130 may comprise one or more features configured to engage acomponent (e.g. outlet muffler 4124) which is inserted therein. Forexample, the dock 4130 may comprise one or more flanges 4130 fl as shownin FIGS. 8c-8f , the flanges being adapted to engage and guide theoutlet muffler 4124 or the water reservoir 5110 as they are insertedinto the dock 4130.

In one form, the dock 4130 may comprise one or more components of ahumidifier 5000, where the humidifier 5000 is integrally constructedwith the RPT device 4000. For example, a base of the dock 4130 maycomprise a heating element 5240 as will be described in greater detailbelow.

5.4.1.7 Transducer(s) 4270

Transducers may be internal of the RPT device, or external of the RPTdevice. External transducers may be located for example on or form partof the air circuit, e.g. the patient interface. External transducers maybe in the form of non-contact sensors such as a Doppler radar movementsensor that transmit or transfer data to the RPT device.

In one form of the present technology, one or more transducers 4270 maybe constructed and arranged to measure properties such as a flow rate, apressure or a temperature at one or more points in the pneumatic path.

In one form of the present technology, one or more transducers 4270 maybe located proximate to the patient interface 3000.

In one form, a signal from a transducer 4270 may be filtered, such as bylow-pass, high-pass or band-pass filtering.

5.4.1.7.1 Flow Transducer 4274

A flow transducer 4274 in accordance with the present technology may bebased on a differential pressure transducer, for example, an SDP600Series differential pressure transducer from SENSIRION.

In one form, a signal representing a flow rate such as a total flow Qtfrom the flow transducer 4274 is received by the central controller4230.

5.4.1.7.2 Pressure Transducer 4272

A pressure transducer 4272 in accordance with the present technology islocated in fluid communication with the pneumatic path. An example of asuitable pressure transducer is a sensor from the HONEYWELL ASDX series.An alternative suitable pressure transducer is a sensor from the NPASeries from GENERAL ELECTRIC.

In one form, a signal from the pressure transducer 4272 is received bythe central controller 4230.

5.4.1.7.3 Motor Speed Transducer 4276

In one form of the present technology a motor speed transducer 4276 isused to determine a rotational velocity, such as of the motor 4144 orthe blower 4142. A motor speed signal from the motor speed transducer4276 is preferably provided to the therapy device controller 4240. Themotor speed transducer 4276 may, for example, be a speed sensor, such asa Hall effect sensor.

5.4.1.7.4 Ambient Light Sensor 4278

As the RPT device 4000 is often used in a bedroom environment, forexample to be used while the patient 1000 is about to go to sleep, or isasleep, it may be important to ensure that any light-emitting featuresof the RPT device 4000 is not excessively bright.

In one form of the present technology an ambient light sensor 4278 isused to determine the light level in the ambient area around the RPTdevice 4000. An ambient light signal from the ambient light sensor 4278may be provided as an input to the central controller 4230, for exampleto adjust a brightness of a display or any other light-emittingfeatures, such as a backlight for input devices 4220 or any notificationlights.

The ambient light sensor 4278 may be connected to an aperture such asthe external housing light port 40101 p as shown in FIG. 9a . In such aconfiguration, light level detected by the ambient light sensor 4278would correspond to the light level at or near the aperture. In oneform, the external housing light port 40101 p may be located adjacent tothe display 4294 such that the brightness of the display 4294 may beadjusted according to the detected light level. The ambient light sensor4278 may be connected to the aperture by a light well (also referred toas a light pipe) to assist in accurately determining the light level atthe aperture.

The display 4294 may be configured to operate at one of a plurality ofpredetermined brightness settings. The brightness setting may be chosenaccording to a signal output of the ambient light sensor 4278. Forinstance, the display 4294 may be configured to operate at a lowerbrightness setting if the light measured by the ambient light sensor4278 is at or below a threshold (e.g. 10, 15 or 20 lux), and the display4294 may be configured to operate at a higher brightness setting wherethe light measured by the ambient light sensor 4278 is above thethreshold (e.g. 10, 15 or 20 lux). Thus, in such an arrangement a lowerthe level of the ambient light may result in a lower brightness setting.

5.4.1.8 Anti-Spill Back Valve 4160

In one form of the present technology, an anti-spill back valve islocated between the humidifier 5000 and the pneumatic block 4020. Theanti-spill back valve is constructed and arranged to reduce the riskthat water will flow upstream from the humidifier 5000, for example tothe motor 4144.

5.4.1.9 Air Circuit 4170

An air circuit 4170 in accordance with an aspect of the presenttechnology is a conduit or a tube constructed and arranged in use toallow a flow of air to travel between two components such as thepneumatic block 4020 and the patient interface 3000.

In particular, the air circuit 4170 may be in fluid connection with theoutlet of the pneumatic block and the patient interface. The air circuitmay be referred to as an air delivery tube. In some cases there may beseparate limbs of the circuit for inhalation and exhalation. In othercases a single limb is used.

As shown in FIG. 18a , the air circuit 4170 may include an AC tubeportion 4170 tp and an AC outlet connector 4170 oc at one end of thetube portion 4170 tp to connect the air circuit to the RPT device 4000or the humidifier 5000. In one form, the AC outlet connector 4170 oc maycomprise an AC pre-block 4170 pb, an AC overmould 4170 om and an ACelectrical connector 4170 ec. The electrical connector 4070 ec may beoriented parallel to a centre axis of the outlet connection region 5056and extend downward from an underside of the outlet connector 4170 ocand out from an opening in the AC overmould 4170 om for protection, suchas from water ingress.

The AC tube portion 4170 tp may also include a helical coil 4170 co toprovide support for the AC tube portion 4170 tp. The air circuit 4170may also incorporate a heating element to prevent rainout (condensationof water vapour, for example, within the AC tube portion 4170 tp or thepatient interface 3000), which may be provided within the AC helicalcoil 4170 co. When a heating element is provided in the AC helical coil4170 co electrical power or signalling or both may be necessary if, forexample, the heating element is an electrical resistance heater. In someinstances, an electrical connection may be required between the patientinterface 3000 and the RPT device 4000 or the humidifier 5000 forelectrical power or communication therebetween.

The air circuit 4170 may require both pneumatic and electricalconnections to be formed to the humidifier 5000 (or the RPT device4000), as well as a mechanical connection. These connections may beformed through the AC outlet connector 4170 oc to allow the pressurizedgas to flow to the patient interface 3000, to provide electrical powerand signalling to the heating element in the AC helical coil 4170 co andto locate and secure the air circuit 4170 relative to the humidifier5000 (or the RPT device 4000). These connections may be formedsimultaneously or in series such that one of the mechanical, pneumaticor electrical connections is completed before others. The air circuit4170 may comprise a patient interface connector 4107 to couple to apatient interface 3000 at the opposite end of the tube portion 4170 tp.In some forms, the patient interface connector 4107 may be different tothe AC outlet connector 4170 oc as shown in FIG. 18 a.

FIGS. 18b-18e depict air circuits or portions thereof according toexamples of the present technology. FIGS. 18f-18j also depict exemplaryair circuits that are connected to an outlet assembly 5004. As can beseen in FIGS. 18a-18b , an AC tube portion 4170 tp having an AC helicalcoil 4170 co may be connected to an AC outlet connector 4170 oc. The AChelical coil 4170 co, as discussed above, may include a heating elementand it may also function as a support structure for the AC tube portion4170 tp. An electrical connection may be formed by inserting the ACoutlet connector 4170 oc on the outlet assembly 5004 (to be discussed ingreater detail below) so that an AC electrical connector 4170 ec comesinto electrical contact with electrical components of the outletassembly.

5.4.1.9.1 Formation of Pneumatic and Electrical Connections

The air circuit 4170 may require both pneumatic and electricalconnections to be formed to the humidifier 5000 (or the RPT device4000), as well as a mechanical connection. These connections may beformed through the outlet connector 4170 oc to allow the pressurized gasto flow to the patient interface 3000, to provide electrical power andsignalling to the heating element in the helical coil 4170 co and tolocate and secure the air circuit 4170 relative to the humidifier 5000(or the RPT device 4000). These connections may be formed simultaneouslyor in series such that one of the mechanical, pneumatic or electricalconnections is completed before others. The air circuit 4170 maycomprise on another end a patient interface connector 4107 to couple toa patient interface 3000.

The AC outlet connector 4170 oc may comprise a recess 4170 re configuredto couple to an electrical connector receiver 5052 of a swivelling disc5050 (see FIGS. 18i-18j and further discussion below) to aid inreleasably securing the AC outlet connector 4170 oc to the humidifier5000, for example at the outlet assembly 5004. The recess 4170 re mayalso provide a visual aid to the patient to locate the outlet connector4170 oc in relation to the outlet assembly 5004 by being shaped tocorrespond to the electrical connector receiver 5052 (see FIG. 18j ).The electrical connector receiver 5052 may house a female electricalconnector 5058 such as that shown in FIGS. 18m-18n . The AC outletconnector 4170 oc may also include an actuator 4172 that controls aretention feature 4174. When the AC outlet connector 4170 oc is insertedonto the outlet assembly 5004, the retention feature 4174 may engagewith a corresponding notch 5054 of the swivelling disc 5050 (see FIG.18i-18j ). The actuator 4172 in conjunction with the notch 5054 mayproduce an audible sound or provide tactile feedback or both at theactuator 4172 upon engagement. The actuator 4172 or the retentionfeature 4174 may be produced with higher wear characteristics than theswivelling disc 5050 to allow wear to occur on the air circuit 4170,which may be a consumable component. This may be achieved by use of amaterial with lower hardness to form the retention feature 4174 comparedto the material from which the swivelling disc 5050 is formed. Theretention feature 4174 and notch 5054 may engage by a snap-fit and theactuator 4172 may be depressible to bring in the retention feature torelease it from the notch 5054. In some cases, the retention feature4174 and the notch 5054 may be configured so that when they are notcompletely engaged, they may be forced into place at commencement oftherapy by the therapy pressure, for example by being configured so thatthe therapy pressure acting on the tab 4176 urges the retention feature4174 towards the notch 5054. As shown in FIGS. 18c-18e , the actuator4172 and the retention feature 4174 may both be located on an AC tab4176 such that pushing the actuator inward also causes the retentionfeature to be moved inward, thereby freeing it from the notch 5054. Inone form, the actuator 4172 may be located further from a pivot of thetab 4176 than the retention feature 4174, which would impart amechanical advantage to the user and increase the travel required todepress the actuator 4172 to improve the resolution of movement of theretention feature 4174 to the user. This arrangement may further improvethe feedback provided to the user during engagement/disengagement of theoutlet connector 4170 oc. An outlet connection region 5056 (as shown inFIG. 18a ) may be shaped to correspond with the shape of the swivellingdisc 5050, as shown in FIG. 18f-18j , for example.

As shown in FIG. 18d , a travel stop 4178 located at the inner ends ofthe ribs 4177 may be used in some examples of this technology in orderto limit the travel, or level of squeezing, of the actuator 4172 duringinsertion and removal to prevent plastic deformation of the surroundingportions, to prevent tear of the AC outlet connector 4170 oc in aperiphery of the AC tab 4176 or both. The travel stops 4178 extend fromthe inner ends of the ribs 4177 and are aligned with the inner surfaceof the AC outlet connector 4170 oc in the location of the actuator 4172.When the actuator is squeezed or pushed inwards the inner surface of theAC outlet connector 4170 oc is correspondingly squeezed or pushedinwards until it contacts the travel stop 4178. The travel stop preventsfurther squeezing or pushing of the actuator.

In a further example of the technology, the notch may be replaced with aradial slot that is capable of retaining the outlet connector via theretention feature(s) but allowing rotation thereof. In such an examplethe swivelling disc may be fixed relative to the outlet housing or itmay be eliminated completely such that the radial slot is located on thehousing. Furthermore, it should be understood that such examples wouldretain the need for a movable electrical connector within the outletassembly such that the electrical connection may be maintained while theoutlet connector rotates.

FIGS. 18k and 18l show detailed bottom views of examples of the ACoutlet connector 4170 oc and specifically the outlet connection region5056. FIG. 18k shows the AC outlet connector 4170 oc connected at theoutlet connection region 5056 to an outlet end 4006 oe of an outlet tube4006. (shown in FIG. 19 xx and discussed further below). The outlet tube4006 may be formed as a multiple patient multiple user (MPMU) tube thatis one or more of removable, replaceable and cleanable. It should benoted that for the sake of clarity the outlet end 4006 oe is shown inthis view and reference should be made to FIGS. 18f-18j for furtherdepiction. The outlet tube 4006 may function as a removable intermediatepneumatic coupling between the AC outlet connector 4170 oc of the aircircuit 4170 and the air outlet of RPT device 4000 or the humidifier5000.

5.4.1.9.2 Internal Ribs of the Outlet Connector 4170 oc

FIG. 18k shows a plurality of ribs 4177 disposed around the innerperiphery of the outlet connection region 5056 of the AC outletconnector 4170 oc. In the illustrated example four ribs 4177 are shownbut a different number of ribs such as two, three, five or more ribs maybe utilised. The ribs 4177 may function to support and position the ACoutlet connector 4170 oc relative to the outlet end 4006 oe of theoutlet tube 4006. The ribs 4177 may function to guide the AC outletconnector 4170 oc during insertion to couple to the outlet end 4006 oeof the outlet tube 4006 in the outlet assembly 5004 to form thepneumatic connection. This guidance may also assist in aligning theoutlet connection region 5056 to facilitate the electrical connectionbetween the AC electrical connector 4170 ec and the electrical connectorreceiver 5052 on the swivelling disc 5050 of the outlet assembly 5004.In this arrangement, although the insertion or connection of the aircircuit AC outlet connector 4170 oc to the RPT device outlet assembly5004 may be achieved in one movement by the user, the pneumaticconnection is formed first and the electrical connection is formedsecond. The AC outlet connector 4170 oc, the outlet assembly 5004 andthe outlet tube 4006 may be configured such that outlet tube 4006engages the seal 4170 se of the AC outlet connector 4170 oc prior to theelectrical connector receiver 5052 forming an electrical connection withthe AC electrical connector 4170 ec. Accordingly, during removal ordisconnection, the electrical connection is the first to be disconnectedand the pneumatic connection is disconnected second. This may beadvantageous to ensure that a pneumatic seal is maintained from the RPTdevice 4000 or the humidifier 5000 to the air circuit 4170 and, morespecifically, between the AC outlet connector 4170 oc and the outlettube 4006. Furthermore, this may provide improved safety, for example,if supplemental oxygen is added to the flow of air delivered by thehumidifier 5000, as this arrangement may prevent oxygen from beingexposed during connection or disconnection of the electricalconnections. FIG. 18l shows a similar view to FIG. 18k , however, theoutlet end 4006 oe of the outlet tube 4006 is not shown to provide aclearer depiction of an example of the ribs 4177. Both of these viewsalso show the profile of the recess 4170 re.

In some cases, a non-heated air circuit 4170 may be used that does notincorporate a heating element. Accordingly, the diameter of the centralopening 5092 in the swivelling disc 5050 may be sufficiently large toaccept such a non-heated air circuit 4170. Accordingly, in one exampleof the current technology, the external diameter of the airflow tube maybe approximately 22 mm to allow connection to a standard 22 mm externaldiameter non-heated air circuit, and the external diameter of the ACoutlet connector 4170 oc may be approximately 36 mm. However, it isrecognised that other external diameter sizes may be utilised.

Internal ribs 4177 may be used to reduce any radial gaps between theinterior of the outlet connection region 5056 and the outlet tube 4006.Still further, the ribs 4177 and the outlet tube 4006 may be configuredso that the gaps therebetween are relatively smaller than the gapbetween the exterior of the outlet connection region 5056 and theswivelling disc 5050. This may allow more of the wear from rotation tooccur on the outlet tube 4006 in comparison to the swivelling disc 5050,which may be advantageous as the outlet tube 4006 may be more readilyreplaced than the swivelling disc 5050.

Another advantage of the ribs 4177 may be to allow a greater portion ofany mechanical load that may result from tilting or non-axial movementto be transferred from the AC outlet connector 4170 oc to the outlettube 4006. This may be advantageous in that this may help wear occur onthe consumable components such as the air circuit 4170 and/or the outlettube 4006 than the non-consumable components of the humidifier 5000,such as the swivelling disc 5050. Yet another advantage of the ribs 4177may be to maintain or restrict the deformation of the base seal 4170 se(as shown in FIG. 18a ) during engagement of the AC outlet connector4170 oc with the outlet assembly 5004 by limiting the maximum axialdeformation that the base seal 4170 se can undergo towards the interiorof the AC outlet connector 4170 oc.

5.4.1.9.3 Electrical Connection

The AC electrical connector 4170 ec may include one or more lead-infeatures, such as chamfers, or curved radii on its edges on the leadingsurface in the direction of insertion such as shown in FIG. 18o . Thismay assist insertion of the AC electrical connector 4170 ec into theelectrical connector receiver 5052 to provide a surface wipe connectionand prevents damage to the conductors on the AC electrical connector4170 ec. The thickness of the electrical leads 41701 e on the ACelectrical connector 4170 ec may be approximately between 0.2 mm to 1.2mm, for example 0.4 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.8 mm or 1 mm. The thickness may varyaccording to a number of parameters such as, the design life of the ACelectrical connector 4170 ec, material chosen for the electrical leads41701 e and the material chosen for the receiver contact elements 5058ce. One suitable example of material for the electrical leads 41701 emay be high temper phosphor bronze, that is nickel plated and then goldplated. In some circumstances, an increased amount of conductivematerial and/or high conductivity plating (such as gold and/or platinum)may be used on the electrical leads 41701 e. This may have the advantageof improving wear characteristics and/or dissipating heat from theelectrical connector 4170 ec. The electrical leads 41701 e may haveexposed conductive surfaces on the lower end of the electrical connector4170 ec to ensure full insertion is required to make the electricalconnection.

Another feature provided by the connection of the AC electricalconnector 4170 ec to the electrical connector receiver 5052 on theswivelling disc 5050 may be that when assembled together, the electricalconnector receiver 5052 is covered by the AC outlet connector 4170 oc asshown in FIG. 18i and FIG. 18j . FIG. 18j shows an exploded view whereinthe AC outlet connector 4170 oc is shown above the swivelling disc 5050,and FIG. 18i shows the AC outlet connector 4170 oc in engagement withthe swivelling disc 5050. When the outlet connector 4170 oc is insertedonto the swivelling disc 5050, as shown in FIGS. 18g and 18i , theregion of the outlet connector that surrounds the AC electricalconnector 4170 ec may cover over the opening in the electrical connectorreceiver 5052 to prevent debris and contaminants (such as liquids) fromentering into the electrical connector receiver.

As mentioned above, the electrical connector 4170 ec and the electricalconnector receiver 5052 are configured so that the electrical connectionbetween them is to be made after the AC outlet connector 4170 oc ismechanically engaged with the swivelling disc 5050. This reduces theproportion of any deformation or load from misalignment between the ACoutlet connector 4170 oc and the swivelling disc 5050 that is supportedby the AC electrical connector 4170 ec and the electrical connectorreceiver 5052. In one example, such an arrangement may be achieved byconfiguring the AC outlet connector 4170 oc into the swivelling disc5050 so that during insertion of the AC outlet connector 4170 oc withthe swivelling disc 5050, the outlet tube 4006 and the ribs 4177 engageprior to engagement of the AC electrical connector 4170 ec and theelectrical connector receiver 5052. This configuration may also beadvantageous in cases where the gas provided via the air circuit 4170includes supplementary oxygen, as it may prevent occurrence ofelectrical arcing while the pneumatic circuit is not isolated.

A yet another feature of the current technology may be found in thearrangement of the receiver contact elements 5058 ce on the femaleelectrical connector 5058 in the electrical connector receiver 5052 asshown in FIG. 18m-18n . The electrical leads 41701 e may engage thereceiver contact elements 5058 ce as the AC electrical connector 4170 ecis inserted into the electrical connector receiver 5052 from the top ofthe connector TS. This engagement may occur via a sliding action in thedirection of the arrow ENG shown in FIG. 18a-18b . The receiver contactelements 5058 ce may be configured in a sloped, triangular profile asshown in FIG. 18n and/or to be compliant in a perpendicular directionPER to the sliding plane to assist in their engagement with theelectrical leads 41701 e.

The aforementioned triangular profile and/or compliance may allowimproved engagement between the electrical leads 41701 e on the ACelectrical connector 4170 ec and the receiver contact elements 5058 ceas the AC electrical connector 4170 ec is progressively inserted intothe electrical connector receiver 5052. During engagement with the ACelectrical connector 4170 ec, as the AC electrical connector 4170 ecslides along the length of the female electrical connector 5058 thecontact elements 5146 may be depressed inwards and maintain contact tothe electrical leads 41701 e. This may allow improved accommodation ofmechanical tolerances from such sources as manufacturing variance orin-use deformation.

Still further, the receiver contact elements 5058 ce may be biased, sothat when deformed from its original configuration (as shown in FIG. 18n) and depressed inwards, the receiver contact elements 5058 ce may bebiased towards returning to the undeformed position, thereby improvingthe fidelity of its connection with the electrical leads 41701 e.Another advantage of such an arrangement of the female electricalconnector 5058 may be that it is self-cleaning. As the female electricalconnector 5058 and the AC electrical connector 4170 ec may engage eachother in a slide-on, slide-off action, it may prevent build-up ofcontaminants which, if left uncleaned, may affect the fidelity of theelectrical connection formed between the two parts.

Any contaminants that have been removed by the wiping action may beprevented from entering the air path, for example by a swivel disc seal5051. In addition when the female electrical connector 5058 is arrangedin a vertical position and the connection is made in a verticaldirection any contaminants that are wiped off the electrical contactswill fall down below the connector. A cavity may be formed below thefemale electrical connector 5058 within the electrical connectorreceiver 5052 into which the contaminants may collect. This cavity isnot in communication with the pneumatic path of the RPT device or thehumidifier 5000.

FIG. 18z 1 shows the surface of the female electrical connector 5058that may be connected to the cable 5070. The connector comprises aplurality of weld points 5058 w 1, 5058 w 2, 5058 w 3, for example suchthat there may be two weld points for each of the conductive tracks,which allows for improved mechanical strength against load. Theconnector may also incorporate one or more pegs, rivets or pins 5058 pefor alignment during assembly and/or mechanical bonding. Optionally theone or more pegs, rivets or pins 5058 pe may be heat staked to provide amechanical restraint. In certain arrangements a washer or plate may beprovided between the one or more pegs, rivets or pins 5058 pe and thecable 5070 to spread the mechanical restraint force over a largersurface of the connector.

FIGS. 18z 2-18 z 4 show another example of the female electricalconnector 5058, including another example of receiver contact elements5146, shown in further detail in FIGS. 18z 5-18 z 6. A feature of thisexample of the receiver contact element 5058 ce is that a bifurcatedretention feature 5058 rf is formed from the base portion 5058 bp ratherthan the contact portion 5058 co and/or the curved portion 5058 cu. Thereceiver contact elements 5058 ce may be made from a material of highelectrical and thermal conductivity with high strength and hardness,such as beryllium copper.

Having the exposed electrical connections on the outlet connector 4170oc of the air circuit 4170 provides additional electrical safety as theair circuit does not include a power supply but requires connection toswivelling disc 5050 on the RPT device 4000 and/or humidifier 5000 toreceive power. Also, the exposed electrical connections that may beexposed to cleaning processes are also on the replaceable air circuit4170 component.

5.4.1.9.4 Elbow Outlet Connector

By forming the AC outlet connector 4170 oc with an elbow, as can be seenin FIGS. 18a-18j , the patient may be prevented from inadvertentlypulling the air circuit 4170 off of the RPT device 4000 or thehumidifier 5000, because the direction of the tension force vector ofthe air circuit will be located at an angle (e.g., perpendicular) to thedirection of engagement of the air circuit 4170 with RPT device 4000 orthe humidifier 5000. Also, as shown in FIGS. 1a-c , the RPT device 4000or the humidifier 5000 may be located on a nightstand, for example,during treatment such that the patient lying in bed is at substantiallythe same height as the RPT device or the humidifier. In such asituation, the inclusion of an elbow as part of the AC outlet connector4170 oc may allow the air circuit 4170 to be pointed more directly atthe patient such that bend angles of the air circuit may be reduced,particularly at or near the elbow, which in turn may reduce stress onthe air circuit. In one example of the present technology, the AC outletconnector 4170 oc may include an elbow having an angle of about 90°. Itshould be understood, however, that any number of angles may bepossible, such as for example between 0° and 120°, including 20°, 40°,60°, 800 or 100°. The choice of this angle may be affected by any numberof design requirements such as flow impedance, convenience, location ofthe AC outlet connector 4170 oc or noise implications.

5.4.1.9.5 Rotatable Outlet Connector

As the patient may move during treatment, thus pulling the air circuit4170, it may be advantageous to further reduce the bend angles of theair circuit and reduce stress on the assembly, in particular the aircircuit, as well as the connection thereto from the AC outlet connector4170 oc. This may be accomplished by allowing the AC outlet connector4170 oc to rotate relative to the RPT device 4000 or the humidifier 5000while the mechanical, pneumatic and electrical connections aremaintained. The outlet tube 4006 also facilitates rotation of the ACoutlet connector 4170 oc of the air circuit 4170 by allowing the ACoutlet connector 4170 oc to rotate around the outlet end 4006 oe.

As described above, the air circuit 4170 may be connected to the RPTdevice 4000 or the humidifier 5000 by inserting the AC outlet connector4170 oc onto the outlet assembly 5004, as shown in FIGS. 16a-16b and18f-18j . Rotatability may be provided by features shown in FIGS.18p-18r for example.

FIGS. 18p-18r, 18v and 18w show various views of the swivelling disc5050 according to various examples of the technology. It has beendescribed above that the swivelling disc 5050 may be the component thatreceives the AC outlet connector 4170 oc when connecting the air circuit4170 to the RPT device 4000 or the humidifier 5000. The swivelling disc5050 may also provide rotatability relative to the RPT device and/or thehumidifier.

FIG. 18y shows a perspective view of the bottom of the exemplaryswivelling disc 5050 and the cable 5070. In other words, this viewdepicts features of the swivelling disc 5050 that are located oppositethe side to which the AC outlet connector 4170 oc may connect. A cable5070, to be discussed in greater detail below, can be seen extendingfrom an underside of the electrical connector receiver 5052. The end ofthe cable 5070 that is inside of the electrical connector receiver 5052may be in electrical communication with the AC electrical connector 4170ec when the AC outlet connector 4170 oc is inserted onto the swivellingdisc 5050. The free end of the cable 5070 shown may be in electricalcommunication with at least one component of the RPT device 4000 or thehumidifier 5000 (e.g., the central controller 4230, PCBA 4202 or a powersupply 4210). It should also be understood that the cable 5070 may be ofany sufficient length to perform its connective function, as will bediscussed in greater detail below.

The swivelling disc 5050 may also incorporate a swivel disc seal 5051 asshown in FIG. 18w-18x-18y that may comprise a compliant material such asTPE. The swivel disc seal 5051 may function to maintain a seal betweenthe swivelling disc 5050 and the outlet tube 4006 to prevent anycontaminants from entering the air path, for example by extending arounda periphery of the top of the swivelling disc 5050 and towards the baseof the swivelling disc 5050 as shown in FIGS. 18v and 18y . In one form,the swivel disc seal 5051 may be an overmoulded portion of theswivelling disc 5050.

As described above, the AC outlet connector 4170 oc may be releasablycoupled to the swivelling disc 5050 by engagement of the retentionfeatures 4174 in corresponding notches 5054 and by engagement of therecess 4170 re onto the electrical connector receiver 5052. Whenconnected to the swivelling disc 5050, the AC outlet connector 4170 ocmay be able to rotate in unison with the swivelling disc and relative tothe cable housing 5080.

FIGS. 70a-c show views of the swivelling disc 5050 joined to the cablehousing 5080. FIG. 70a shows a top view of an outlet assembly accordingto an example of the present technology. In FIGS. 70a-c the swivellingdisc 5050 may be in an intermediate rotational position relative to thecable housing 5080.

FIG. 70b shows a cross-section of the outlet assembly 5004 across thesymmetrical plane of the female electrical connector 5058 taken throughline 70 b-70 b of FIG. 70a . This example of the current technologyshows an internal shoulder 5160 that recesses the female electricalconnector 5058 from the opening of the electrical connector receiver5052, which may improve the electrical safety of the electricalconnector receiver 5052 when engaging with and/or disengaging from theconnector 4170 ec. Recessed placement of the female electrical connector5158 from the opening of the electrical connector receiver 5052 may alsoprevent occurrence of any electrical arcing at or near an exposed area.The current arrangement of the female electrical connector 5058 and theelectrical connector receiver 5052 may also prevent any poweredcomponents from being touched by a user.

FIG. 70c shows another cross-sectional view of the outlet assembly 5004taken through line 70 c-70 c of FIG. 70a . Inner wall 5082 of theswivelling disc 5050 can be seen within the outer wall of the cablehousing 5280. The tabs 5094 of the cable housing 5080 can also be seen.The flange 5112 of the swivelling disc 5050 can also be seen above theouter wall 5084 of the cable housing 5080.

5.4.1.9.6 Limited Rotation

The disc stop surfaces 5060, 5062 (shown in FIG. 18y18x ), discussedabove, have a pair of complementary housing stop surfaces 5164, 5166(shown in FIG. 18w18t ) that may be located on an inner wall 5082 of thecable housing 5080. By connecting the swivelling disc 5050 (as shown inFIG. 18v ) to and within the inner wall 5082 of the cable housing 5080(as shown in FIG. 18w ), for example as shown in FIG. 18x , the rotationof the swivelling disc 5050 relative to the cable housing 5080 may belimited by engagement of the disc stop surfaces 5060, 5062 tocorresponding housing stop surfaces 5164, 5166 at or near its extremepositions. Rotation of the swivelling disc 5050, in one example of thetechnology, may be limited to less than about 360°. Rotation may also belimited to an amount that is greater than about 180°. In a furtherexample, rotation may be limited to about 270°. The desired range ofrotation of the swivelling disc 5050 may be determined by a number offactors, such as the location of the swivelling disc 5050 with respectto the RPT device 4000 and/or humidifier 5000, the elbow angle of the ACoutlet connector 4170 oc, and material properties of the components.

The depicted examples show two pairs of complementary stop surfaces, asdiscussed above, that may represent opposite ends or surfaces of onestructure. It may be possible to have multiple stop structures formed onrespective components. For example, the stop surfaces on the inner wallof the housing may be provided with two separate protrusions thereon andlikewise for the swivelling disc. It is also envisioned that multipleconfigurations of stop surfaces may be provided on a single combinationof housing and swivelling disc such that one combination may include anumber of available rotational limits.

FIG. 18p shows the swivelling disc 5050 rotated into one extremeposition in the counter-clockwise direction relative to the cablehousing 5080. FIG. 18r shows the swivelling disc 5050 rotated intoanother extreme position towards the other limit of travel in theclockwise direction relative to the cable housing 5080. FIG. 18q showsthe swivelling disc 5050 in a position relative to the cable housing5080 that is between the extreme positions shown in FIGS. 18p and 18r .Although the swivelling disc 5050 does not allow the stop surfaces 5060,5062, 5164, 5166 to be seen in FIGS. 18p-18r , it should be understoodthat when the swivelling disc 5050 is in either extreme position shownin FIGS. 18p and 18r that one of the disc stop surfaces 5060, 5062 isengaged and/or abutted against a corresponding housing stop surface5164, 5166.

It should be understood that each AC tab 4176 of the AC outlet connector4170 oc includes a retention feature 4174 that is engaged with acorresponding notch 5054 of the swivelling disc 5050 to releasablyconnect the substructure to the swivelling disc so that they may rotatein unison relative to the cable housing 5080.

5.4.1.9.7 Electrical Cable Connection

As discussed above, the cable 5070 may be provided to electricallyconnect the AC electrical connector 4170 ec to at least one component ofthe RPT device 4000 or the humidifier 5000. The cable 5070 (e.g. shownin FIGS. 18v-18y, 18u-18x ) may be a flexible circuit board (FCB) or aribbon cable. The cable 5070 may also include multiple wires to providemultiple electrical connections for powering and signalling functions.The cable 5070 may be oriented such that the major or longer side isoriented in parallel to the axis of rotation of the swivelling disc. Ifan FCB is used as the cable 5070, it may be oriented so that the surfaceof the FCB where the conductive tracks are located is protected fromfrictional contact with the cable housing 5080 as it rotates with theswivelling disc 5050, in order to help prolong the life of the cable5070. Still further, the contacting surface (away from the conductivetracks) may comprise a low-friction surface so that when it slidesrelative to the cable housing 5080 the friction force created isminimised. This may have the effect of reducing the amount of wearoccurring on the cable 5070, as well as reducing the load imposed on thesolder/mounting joints between the cable 5070 and any electricalconnectors connected thereto, such as the female electrical connector5058. An example of such a low-friction surface may be a polyamidesubstrate.

5.4.1.9.8 Cable Management

In accordance with an example of the present technology, the cable 5070may be fixed at one end to the electrical connector receiver 5052 of theswivelling disc 5050. Although not shown, it should be understood thatthe opposite end of the cable 5070 may be fixedly connected to at leastone component of the RPT device 4000 or the humidifier 5000 such as aPCBA 4202 to provide power to the cable. Thus, the cable 5070 may have afixed length between the connection to the swivelling disc 5050 and theconnection to at least one component of the RPT device 4000 or thehumidifier 5000.

The cable 5070, in an example of the present technology shown in FIGS.18p-18r , may also include a slack portion that may be contained withineither an annular section between the inner wall 5082 and the outer wall5084, or a recess or void 5086 defined, at least in part, by the cablehousing 5080 depending upon the position of the swivelling disc 5050.The flange 5112 of the swivelling disc 5050 may also contribute todefining the upper cover of the annular section, however, the flange5112 does not contact the cable 5070 within the annular section. Thecable housing 5080 (see FIG. 18s ) may also include the inner wall 5082and an outer wall 5084, both of which may further define the void 5086.The cable housing 5080 may also include a retainer 5090, which may helpto maintain the cable 5070 in the proper orientation by reducing thechance of entanglement or pinching and to prevent the slack portion frombeing pushed out of the cable housing 5080. The outer diameter of theretainer 5090 may be designed to provide a minimum diameter for bend ofthe cable 5070 without damaging the electrical elements of the cable5070, for example an outer diameter of approximately 4 mm, 4.5 mm, 5 mmor some other outer diameter. It is to be understood that the outerdiameter size of the retainer 5090 may be varied depending upon the sizeand type of cable used. As can be seen in FIG. 18s , the exemplary cablehousing 5080 depicted may include an opening that may be formed in theshape of a slot and through which the cable 5070 may pass, whilemaintaining a substantially fixed length of the cable 5070 within thecable housing 5080.

The cable 5070 is at least partially wrapped around the inner wall 5082within the annular section 5174 when the swivelling disc is rotatedtowards the extreme position shown in FIG. 18r . The cable 5070 does notwrap around the swivelling disc 5050 but moves with the swivelling discwithin the annular section as the swivelling disc 5050 is rotated.

FIGS. 18p-18r depict another feature of the depicted examples of thetechnology. As the swivelling disc 5050 is rotated between extremepositions the cable 5070 may be pushed and pulled between the void 5086and annular section of the cable housing 5080 due to its connection tothe swivelling disc 5050. For example, when the swivelling disc 5050 isrotated from the position shown in FIG. 18p to the position shown inFIG. 18r it can be seen that a portion of the cable 5070 is pulled outof the void 5086 and into the annular section 5088. It should beunderstood that the portion of the cable 5070 shown doubled back in thevoid 5086 in FIG. 18p , for example, may be considered the slackportion. In other words, the slack portion may be the excess cable thatrepresents a length of the cable beyond what is necessary for directconnection to the swivelling disc 5050. Thus, as the swivelling disc5050 is rotated from the position shown in FIG. 18p to the positionshown in FIG. 18q the slack portion may be progressively removed fromthe void 5086 so that the slack portion of the cable 5070 may beprogressively pulled into the annular section 5088 and begin to wraparound the inner wall 5082 as the cable is pulled. As the swivellingdisc 5050 is rotated further, from the position shown in FIG. 18q to theposition shown in FIG. 18r , the portion of the cable 5070 that ispulled into the annular section 5088 increases and the slack portion maybe pulled completely or nearly completely from the void 5086. The recessor void 5086 and the annular section 5088 may be formed on opposingsides of the inner wall 5082.

Rotation of the swivelling disc 5050 in the opposite direction, from theposition in FIG. 18r to the position in FIG. 18q to the position in FIG.18p , may cause the cable 5070 to be progressively pushed from theannular section 5088 and unwrapped from around the inner wall 5082 suchthat the slack portion in the void 5086 may increase and begin to doubleback. In an example of the present technology, the maximum slack portionof the cable 5070 may be of a fixed length. In another example, thatfixed length may be less than about the circumference of the swivellingdisc 5050 and/or about equal to the distance of an arc swept out by theelectrical connector receiver 5052 as the swivelling disc rotatesbetween extreme positions. It should also be understood that in anexample of the present technology when the swivelling disc 5050 is inthe position shown in FIG. 18p the largest amount of the slack portionof the cable 5070 is gathered or contained in the void 5086.

5.4.1.9.9 Cable Housing

FIGS. 18s-18t depict features of the cable housing 5080 according toexamples of the present technology. As described above, the cablehousing 5080 may include the inner wall 5082 and the outer wall 5084that together may define the void 5086 and the annular section 5088. Theinner wall 5082 may define an opening 5092 through which the outlet tube4006 may extend when the outlet assembly 5004 is assembled onto the RPTdevice 4000 or the humidifier 5000. Further facilitating this assembly,housing tabs 5094 (see FIG. 18t ) may be located on the cable housing5080 to attach the cable housing to the RPT device 4000 or thehumidifier 5000. This may improve the manufacturability andserviceability of the cable housing 5080. The housing tabs 5094 may beconfigured so that they are, by themselves and/or as a set, able tosupport the weight of the humidifier 5000 and the RPT device 4000. Thismay prevent damage from occurring to the humidifier 5000, the RPT device4000 or the cable housing 5080 when the assembly is accidentally liftedby the air circuit 4170 or the AC outlet connector 4170 oc. In someinstances, the air circuit 4170 or the AC outlet connector 4170 oc maybe configured to mechanically fail if the humidifier 5000 and/or the RPTdevice 4000 is held in place and a force is imposed onto the air circuit4170 and/or the AC outlet connector 4170 oc in the upwards direction.

Returning to the inner wall 5082 and the outer wall 5084, in an exampleof the present technology, the slack portion of the cable 5070 can beseen (for example, in FIG. 18p ) to form a radius in the void 5086. Thisradius may affect the stress imposed on the cable 5070 (and thereforepotentially its operating life) and is defined in part by the distance(VO_W in FIG. 18s ) between the inner wall 5082 and the outer wall 5084in the void 5086. Therefore, these walls may be separated by a distancein the range of 2 mm to 5 mm across the void 5086 based on a desiredminimum radius of the cable 5070. In one example, the distance is in therange of 4 mm to 5 mm. It should be understood that the desired minimumradius of the cable may change as a function of the properties of thecable 5070 and its design parameters such as design life, or usagecases. Similarly, the length (VOL in FIG. 18s ) of the void 5086 may belengthened or shortened according to the maximum slack length of thecable 5070, which may be driven by the maximum rotation of theswivelling disc 5050.

The width (AN_W in FIG. 18s ) of the annular section 5088 between theinner wall 5082 and the outer wall 5084 may be minimised as the cable5070 travels therein as the swivelling disc 5050 rotates from oneextreme position to the other. This may have the benefit of reducingnoise produced by the cable and preventing buckling of the cable in theannular section. The width of the annular section may be betweenapproximately 1 mm and 4 mm, such as 2 mm or 3 mm, and it should beunderstood that the width may depend on various characteristics and/orproperties of the assembly, such as the characteristics of the cablechosen or the radius of the inner wall 5082. In some arrangements theinner wall 5082 of the annular section 5088 and/or the outer wall 5084of the annular section 5088 may include dampening material to helpimprove sound performance when the swivelling disc is rotated. Adampening material may also ensure the cable moves around the inner wall5082 rather than the outer wall 5084 or vice versa.

In an example of the present technology, the cable housing 5080 may beformed from polypropylene, or polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadienestyrene (PC/ABS). The swivelling disc 5050 may be formed from acombination of polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC/ABS)and a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

5.4.1.10 Oxygen Delivery Port 4180

In one form of the present technology, one or more oxygen delivery ports4180 may be used to deliver supplementary oxygen to one or more pointsin the pneumatic path, such as upstream of the pneumatic block 4020, tothe air circuit 4170 or to the patient interface 3000.

5.4.1.11 Power Supply 4210

A power supply 4210 may be located internal or external of the externalhousing 4010 of the RPT device 4000.

In one form of the present technology power supply 4210 provideselectrical power to the RPT device 4000 only. In another form of thepresent technology, power supply 4210 provides electrical power to bothRPT device 4000 and humidifier 5000.

5.4.1.12 Central Controller 4230

In one form of the present technology, the central controller 4230 isone or a plurality of processors suitable to control an RPT device 4000.

Suitable processors may include an x86 INTEL processor, a processorbased on ARM Cortex-M processor from ARM Holdings such as an STM32series microcontroller from ST MICROELECTRONIC. In certain alternativeforms of the present technology, a 32-bit RISC CPU, such as an STR9series microcontroller from ST MICROELECTRONICS or a 16-bit RISC CPUsuch as a processor from the MSP430 family of microcontrollers,manufactured by TEXAS INSTRUMENTS may also be suitable.

In one form of the present technology, the central controller 4230 is adedicated electronic circuit.

In one form, the central controller 4230 is an application-specificintegrated circuit. In another form, the central controller 4230comprises discrete electronic components.

The central controller 4230 may be configured to receive input signal(s)from one or more transducers 4270, and one or more input devices 4220.

The central controller 4230 may be configured to provide outputsignal(s) to one or more of an output device 4290, a therapy devicecontroller 4240, a data communication interface 4280 and humidifiercontroller 5250.

In some forms of the present technology, the central controller 4230 isconfigured to implement the one or more methodologies described herein,such as the one or more algorithms expressed as computer programs storedin a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, such as memory4260. In some forms of the present technology, the central controller4230 may be integrated with an RPT device 4000. However, in some formsof the present technology, some methodologies may be performed by aremotely located device. For example, the remotely located device maydetermine control settings for a ventilator or detect respiratoryrelated events by analysis of stored data such as from any of thesensors described herein.

5.4.1.13 Clock 4232

Preferably RPT device 4000 includes a clock 4232 that is connected tothe central controller 4230.

5.4.1.14 Therapy Device Controller 4240

In one form of the present technology, therapy device controller 4240 isa control module 4330 that forms part of the algorithms executed by thecentral controller 4230.

In one form of the present technology, therapy device controller 4240 isa dedicated motor control integrated circuit. For example, in one form aMC33035 brushless DC motor controller, manufactured by ONSEMI is used.

5.4.1.15 Protection Circuits 4250

The one or more protection circuits 4250 in accordance with the presenttechnology may comprise an electrical protection circuit, a temperatureand pressure safety circuit.

5.4.1.16 Memory 4260

In accordance with one form of the present technology the RPT device4000 includes memory 4260, preferably non-volatile memory. In someforms, memory 4260 may include battery powered static RAM. In someforms, memory 4260 may include volatile RAM.

Preferably memory 4260 is located on the PCBA 4202. Memory 4260 may bein the form of EEPROM, or NAND flash.

Additionally or alternatively, RPT device 4000 includes a removable formof memory 4260, for example a memory card made in accordance with theSecure Digital (SD) standard.

In one form of the present technology, the memory 4260 acts as anon-transitory computer readable storage medium on which are storedcomputer program instructions expressing the one or more methodologiesdescribed herein, such as the one or more algorithms.

5.4.1.17 Data Communication Interface 4280

In one preferred form of the present technology, a data communicationinterface 4280 is provided, and is connected to the central controller4230. The data communication interface 4280 may allow the RPT device4000 to connect to another device or a network, such as a remoteexternal communication network 4282, a local external communicationnetwork 4284, remote external device 4286 or a local external device4288. The data communication interface 4280 may communicate data withthe other device/network that it is connected to, for exampletransmitting data from the RPT device 4000 regarding the patient's 1000previous night's sleep, or receiving a message.

The remote external communication network 4282 or the local externalcommunication network 4284 may be further connectable to another networkor device, such as a remote external device 4286 or a local externaldevice 4288 respectively as shown in FIG. 5 d.

Examples of the remote external communication network 4282 may includethe Internet and cellular telephone networks. The data communicationinterface 4280 may connect to the remote external communication network4282 using one or more communication methods (wired or wireless) such asEthernet, USB, optical fibre, CDMA, GSM, LTE. In some forms, the datacommunication interface 4280 may connect to a network via anothernetwork or device (not shown).

Examples of the local external communication network 4284 may include ahome computer network and a hospital computer network. In one form, thelocal external communication network 4284 utilises one or morecommunication standards, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a consumerinfrared protocol.

In one form, the data communication interface 4280 may communicate withone or more servers containing one or more processors, memory andincorporating with other components typically present in general purposecomputing devices. The data communication interface 4280 may communicatewith a server as disclosed in the Australian provisional patentapplications AU 2014901998, AU 2014901999 and AU 2014901997 the entirecontents of which is incorporated herewithin by reference.

In one form, the remote external device 4286 is one or more computers.Such a remote external device 4286 may be accessible to an appropriatelyauthorised person such as a clinician. Examples of local external device4288 may include a personal computer, mobile phone, tablet or remotecontrol.

In one form (shown in FIGS. 10a-10b ), the data communication interface4280 may be a wireless communication module located on a separate PCBAto the main PCBA. The data communication interface 4280 may comprise anantenna 4280 an, and an antenna ground plane 4280 gp. The antenna groundplane 4280 gp in this form may comprise the PCB, and may improveperformance of the antenna 4280 an (and thus performance of the datacommunication interface 4280).

The antenna 4280 an may receive and transmit signal to allow the datacommunication interface 4280 to communicate, for example with a serveras described above. The antenna 4280 an may be an elongate memberengaged with the antenna ground plane 4280 gp (described in furtherdetail below). The antenna 4280 gp may be located towards an outerperiphery of the RPT device 4000 so as to improve fidelity and strengthof any signal to and from the antenna 4280 gp, for example adjacent toan edge of the side panel 4014 as shown in FIG. 10a . In one form, theantenna 4280 gp may be arranged so that its major axis is substantiallyoriented vertically for improved efficiency.

The geometry (e.g. a length) of the antenna ground plane 4280 gp,particularly in a direction perpendicular to the long axis of theantenna 4280 an, may affect a performance level of the ground plane 4280gp (and in turn the antenna 4280 an). Typically, an increase to thelength of the antenna ground plane 4280 gp may be beneficial to itsperformance. Preferably, an antenna ground plane is arranged in arectangular shape (not shown), extending in a direction perpendicular toa major axis of the antenna. The length of the antenna ground plane 4280gp is preferably such that a minimum performance requirement of theantenna ground plane 4280 gp is met. Similarly to the antenna 4280 andescribed above, the antenna ground plane 4280 gp may be arrangedsubstantially vertically, and located toward a periphery of the RPTdevice 4000, for example engaged with the side panel 4014 as shown inFIG. 10 a.

However, in some cases, the configuration of the RPT device 4000 (suchas its overall size and arrangement of components therein) may preventthe antenna ground plane 4280 gp from comprising (or exceeding) thelength required to meet the minimum performance requirements without anaccompanying increase to a size of the RPT device 4000. Yet further, insome cases the RPT device 4000 may comprise one or more sources ofradiation (such as a motor or others) which may raise the performancelevel required for the data communication interface 4280 to performadequately.

According to one aspect of the present technology, the antenna groundplane 4280 gp comprises one or more notches configured to increase theeffective length of the ground plane 4280 gp. In such forms, theeffective length of the ground plane 4280 gp may be increased by thelengths of each side of the one or more notches. The one or more notchesmay allow a ground plane 4280 gp to be arranged as a more complexgeometric shape than a rectangle, such as that shown in FIG. 10b , whileimproving the performance of the ground plane 4280 gp.

The effective total length (L_(eff)) of the ground plane 4280 gp may bedetermined from the length of the antenna ground plate and the length ofeach side wall of each notch within the antenna ground plane 4280 gp.For example as shown in FIG. 10b , the antenna ground plane 4280 gp maycomprise a notch having a first side 4280 n 1 and a second side 4280 n2. In this configuration, the effective total length (L_(eff)) of theantenna ground plane 4280 gp is the sum of: the length of the antennaground plane 4280 gp (L₁), the length of the first side (L_(n1)), andthe length of the second side (L_(n2)). Thus the effective length(L_(eff)) of the antenna ground plane 4280 gp would beL_(eff)=L₁+L_(n1)+L_(n2).

The notches may improve a performance of the wireless data communicationinterface, for example by more than 25% (e.g. by 35%, 50%, 65%, 80%),which may otherwise be achieved through an increase in a size of theantenna ground plane 4280 gp. As discussed above, inclusion of notchesmay thus beneficially allow a reduction in a size of the RPT device 4000which may not be otherwise possible.

5.4.1.18 Input Devices 4220

In one form of the present technology, an RPT device 4000 includes oneor more input devices 4220 in the form of buttons, switches or dials toallow a person to interact with the device. The buttons, switches ordials may be physical devices, or software devices accessible via atouch screen. The buttons, switches or dials may, in one form, bephysically connected to the external housing 4010, or may, in anotherform, be in wireless communication with a receiver that is in electricalconnection to the central controller 4230.

In one form the input device 4220 may be constructed and arranged toallow a person to select a value or a menu option.

In one form as shown in FIG. 9a , the RPT device 4000 may comprise afirst button 4222, for example to start or stop therapy, a second button4224, and a first dial 4226. The first dial 4226 in some forms may bedepressible to function as a button.

5.4.1.19 Output Devices Including Optional Display, Alarms 4290

An output device 4290 in accordance with the present technology may takethe form of one or more of a visual, audio and haptic unit. A visualdisplay 4294 may include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or LightEmitting Diode (LED) display.

5.4.1.19.1 Display Driver 4292

A display driver 4292 receives as an input the characters, symbols, orimages intended for display on the display 4294, and converts them tocommands that cause the display 4294 to display those characters,symbols, or images.

5.4.1.19.2 Display 4294

A display 4294 is configured to visually display characters, symbols, orimages in response to commands received from the display driver 4292.For example, the display 4294 may be an LCD screen which is located onthe front of the RPT device 4000 as shown in FIG. 9a . In anotherexample, the display 4294 may be an eight-segment display, in which casethe display driver 4292 converts each character or symbol, such as thefigure “0”, to eight logical signals indicating whether the eightrespective segments are to be activated to display a particularcharacter or symbol.

In some forms, the display 4294 may be provided separately to the RPTdevice 4000, or another device such as a smartphone may be used as thedisplay 4294. In such forms, the display 4294 may be in communicationwith the RPT device 4000 via the data communication interface 4280.

5.4.1.20 User Interface Panel 4190

In one form, the RPT device 4000 may comprise a user interface panel4190, for example as shown in FIGS. 12a-12d . The user interface panel4190 may include one or more of: a shield for the display 4294,actuating mechanisms for the buttons 4222 and 4224, an external housinglight port 40101 p (and a light well 41901 w) for the ambient lightsensor 4278 and one or more seals to prevent water ingress into aninterior the RPT device 4000.

The user interface panel 4190 may comprise a display cover 4294 co. Thedisplay cover 4294 co may be configured to protect the display 4294 fromdamage while allowing an unobstructed view of the display 4294, forexample by being formed from a rigid, transparent material. In one form,the display cover 4294 co may be formed with a curvature to act as alens to assist viewing of the display 4294. The user interface panel4190 may further comprise a resilient material such as thermoplasticelastomer (TPE) or silicone, for example to perform as a seal.

The user interface panel 4190 may provide a dial aperture 4226 ap toaccept an encoder shaft 4226 sh for the dial 4226 (see FIGS. 13a-13b )therethrough. The user interface panel 4190 may comprise one or both ofa dial seal 4226 se and a dial cover 4226 co to prevent ingress of waterinto the interior of the RPT device 4000 (as shown in FIGS. 12a-12d ).In one form, the dial cover 4226 co is configured with a greater heightat or near a top of the dial 4226 to encourage any water incident in thearea to run downwards without ingress into the RPT device 4000 or eventowards the dial seal 4226 se. The dial seal 4226 se may further preventwater ingress by sealing around the encoder shaft 4226 sh for the dial4226, while allowing rotation thereof.

According to one aspect, the user interface panel 4190 may comprise a UIbase 4190 ba and a UI seal 4190 se as shown in FIG. 12b and FIG. 12d .The UI base 4190 ba may perform one or more of the functions describedabove, for example as a shield for the display 4294, actuatingmechanisms for the buttons 4222 and 4224 and an external housing lightport 40101 p for the ambient light sensor 4278. Accordingly, the UI base4190 ba may be constructed from a transparent material such asacrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polycarbonate material. Such aconstruction may allow the UI base 4190 ba to integrally comprise alight well 41901 w (or a light pipe) configured as described above, inone form as a prism or a protrusion extending from under a first surfaceof the UI base 4190 ba proximate to the ambient light sensor 4278 toabove another, opposite surface facing the exterior of the RPT device4000 as shown in FIGS. 12a-12d . In one form, one end of the light well41901 w may terminate to form the external housing light port 4010 lp.

The UI seal 4190 se may seal one or more areas such as between the UIbase 4190 ba and the external housing 4010, between the encoder shaft4226 sh and the UI base 4190 ba, between the display 4294 and the UIbase 4190 ba, or between the UI base 4190 ba and the buttons 4222 and4224. The UI seal 4190 se 4 may be engaged with the UI base 4190 ba asan overmould, resulting in one integral user interface panel 4190 asshown in FIG. 12a and FIG. 12c for example, onto which buttons 4222 and4224 may be coupled. The user interface panel 4190 may be then coupledwith the main PCBA 4202 as for example shown in FIG. 5 a.

As the RPT device 4000 may be used with a humidifier 5000 (discrete orintegrated), the patient 1000 may often be interacting with thehumidifier and the user interface sequentially, for example by fillingup a water reservoir and then starting the RPT device 4000 or navigatinga user menu. Accordingly, it may be advantageous for the user interfacepanel 4190 to effectively prevent or discourage water ingress into theRPT device 4000. Furthermore, constructing the UI base 4190 ba from onematerial, and to perform multiple functions as described above may leadto reduced manufacturing costs.

5.4.1.21 Front Panel 4012

One example of the front panel 4012 may be configured as shown in FIGS.14a-14b . The front panel 4012 may be removable from the RPT device4000, for instance to allow the patient 1000 to customise the visuallook of the RPT device 4000, or to differentiate one model of the RPTdevice 4000 from another, where a plurality of models are available forexample. In one form, the front panel 4012 may communicate with thecentral controller 4230 to customise an aspect of the RPT device 4000,for example to provide one of a plurality of different modes ofoperation as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/204,041,the entire contents of which is incorporated herewithin by reference.

The front panel 4012 may comprise one or more retention features toallow the front panel 4012 to be secured onto the RPT device, such as byengagement with the external housing 4010. In one form, the front panel4012 may comprise one or more internal shoulders 4012 sh (as shown inFIG. 14b ) configured to engage with one or more complementary featureson the external housing 4010, such as the protrusions 4010 pr (as shownin FIGS. 13a-13b ). The external housing 4010 may comprise an accesspoint such as a front panel cutout 4010 co, configured to accept afinger of the patient 1000 for example to allow the patient 1000 toremove the front panel 4012, such as by levering the front panel 4012 upfrom the external housing 4010. The front panel 4012 may furthercomprise a cavity to allow access to light by the external housing lightport 4010 lp.

5.4.2 RPT Device User Interface

The RPT device 4000 may comprise a user interface, for examplecomprising a visual interface shown through the display 4294. The user(e.g. the patient 1000) may interact with the RPT device 4000 using theinput devices 4220 as described above.

5.4.2.1 Visual Interface

The visual interface may comprise a menu of user-selectable items. Theuser may interact with the menu by selecting one of a plurality of itemspresented on the menu using the input devices 4220 such as a dial or bytouching areas of a touchscreen. The user may confirm a selection bydepressing a button or touching a touchscreen for example.

5.4.2.1.1 First Menu Screens

According to one aspect, a first menu screen 4295 m 1 presented to theuser may be configured as shown in FIGS. 15a-15b . The first menu screen4295 m 1 may present a limited number of sub-menu options to the user,for example two sub-menu options. According to another aspect, thesub-menu options may be arranged by a particular type of an interactionthe user may have with the RPT device 4000. For example, the first menuscreen 4295 m 1 may comprise a selectable menu 4295 se and a report menu4295 re. The selectable menu 4295 se may substantially comprise menuitems with which a user may interact, and the report menu 4295 re maysubstantially comprise menu items which may report information to auser. By substantially dividing the user interface into categories basedon interactivity with the user, the user may be able to more effectivelyinteract with the user interface and navigate through the sub-menuitems.

In some instances, the first menu screen 4295 m 1 may be the very toplevel of a menu hierarchy or structure. Accordingly, the first menuscreen 4295 m 1 may advantageously present the user with sub-menuoptions which are arranged by the particular type of interactionpossible.

FIGS. 15c-15d show another example of a first clinical menu screen 4295m 2, showing a ‘clinical’ menu comprising a selectable menu 4295 se anda report menu 4295 re. The clinical menu may be activated by apredetermined operation, such as pressing particular user interfacebuttons in a particular sequence. Similarly to the first menu screen4295 m 1, first clinical menu screen 4295 m 2 may be the very top levelof a menu hierarchy or structure for an alternative set of menu items(and sub-menu options). Although the first clinical menu screen 4295 m 2presents different visual icons (and titles) to the first menu screen4295 m 1, arrangement of the two sub-menu options may be advantageouslyarranged by the particular type of interaction possible therewith, sothat the layout of the user interface would remain consistent forimproved usability.

Thus, in one form, the top level menu, regardless of whether it is afirst menu screen 4295 m 1 or a first clinical menu screen 4295 m 2 maycomprise a predetermined, consistent, number of sub-menu items, such astwo, as shown in FIGS. 15a-15d . For instance, by arranging the very toplevel menu hierarchy to comprise a predetermined sub-menu items that arearranged by the type of interaction possible, the user may be able toadvantageously maintain familiarity with the interface. This may beparticularly advantageous as a significant percentage of users ofmedical devices such as RPT devices may not be proficient withhigh-technology gadgets or devices.

The selectable menu 4295 se may comprise items which may be individuallyselected by the user, for example to make changes to a behaviour or afunctionality of the RPT device 4000 (or the humidifier 5000), or toenter a sub-menu item. For example, the selectable menu 4295 se may bedisplayed as shown in FIGS. 15a-15d , and once entered may comprise oneor more configurable items such as therapy mode, ramp time, humiditylevel, language, date, units, mask type or pressure levels. In oneexample, the user may navigate to the sub-menu of the selectable menu4295 se, and arrive at a selectable sub-menu 4295 o 1 or 4295 o 2,depending on whether the navigation was from the first menu screen 4295m 1 or the first clinical menu screen 4295 m 2 respectively as shown inFIG. 15e or FIG. 15f . In both cases, however, the user would havearrived at a series of selectable items.

The report menu 4295 re may comprise items which relate to reporting ofdata. For example, the report menu 4295 re (e.g. as shown in FIG. 15a or15 c) once entered may comprise one or more report items such as totalusage hours, events per hour, report of mask seal or report ofhumidifier performance. In another example, while the device isoperating, the report menu 4295 re (e.g. as shown in FIG. 15b or 15 d)once entered may comprise one or more statuses such as current pressurelevels, leak level, remaining ramp time or humidifier status. In oneexample, the user may navigate to the sub-menu of the report menu 4295re, and arrive at a report sub-menu 4295 r 1 or 4295 r 2, depending onwhether the navigation was from the first menu screen 4295 m 1 or thefirst clinical menu screen 4295 m 2 respectively as shown in FIG. 15gand FIG. 15h . In both cases, however, the user would have arrived at aseries of selectable items as shown.

According to another aspect, the visual interface 4295 may be configuredso that the items displayed on the first menu screen 4295 m 1 (or thefirst clinical menu screen 4295 c 1) may vary according to the contextof the operation of the device, while the layout remains consistent, asseen in FIGS. 15a-15d . The first menu screen 4295 m 1 shown in FIG. 15amay change to that shown in FIG. 15b (and from FIG. 15c to FIG. 15d ) ifthe RPT device 4000 is in operation, changing the image displayed forthe report menu 4295 re.

Similarly, the selectable menu 4295 se appear at substantially samelocation in FIGS. 15a and 15c , although the image displayed may varydepending on whether the first menu screen 4295 m 1 or the firstclinical menu screen 4295 c 1 is displayed on the visual interface 4295.

A composition of the first menu screen 4295 m 1 (or the first clinicalmenu screen 4295 c 1) which includes one sub-menu item comprisingconfigurables, and another sub-menu item comprising reports may bebeneficial in one or more respects. In one respect, the user may be ableto navigate through the menu items with greater ease, as the structureof the menu would remain consistent despite any variations to the menuaccording to its operating conditions (e.g. operation of the RPT device4000, or differences between a clinical menu and a patient menu). Stillfurther, maintaining a consistency of layout while varying imagesdisplayed thereon may effectively indicate a change in one or moreoperating conditions of the RPT device to the user without potentiallycausing confusion by a change in a menu structure.

5.4.2.1.2 Subsequent Menu Screens

Examples of sub-menus for the selectable menu 4295 se are shown in FIGS.15e and 15f . It can be seen here that the contents of the selectablesub-menu 4295 o 1 and 4295 o 2 are selectable items, which may beactionable by the user, save for headings. For example, the user mayscroll down to contents such as ‘Mask’ as shown in FIG. 15e to change atype of mask that the RPT device 4000 is coupled to, or to ‘HumidityLevel’ as shown in FIG. 15f to change a level of desired humidity outputof the humidifier 5000.

Examples of sub-menus for the report menu 4295 re are shown in FIGS. 15gand 15h . The report sub-menus 4295 r 1 and 4295 r 2 may be configuredso as to display information, in contrast to the contents of theselectable sub-menu 4295 o 1 or 4295 o 2 described above.

In one form, the sub-menus such as selectable sub-menu 4295 o 1 or 4295o 2 or the report sub-menu 4295 r 1 or 4295 r 2 may comprise a greaternumber of items than can be displayed on the screen of the RPT device4000 (or the humidifier 5000). The sub-menus may be thus configured sothat a movable portion of the sub-menu (e.g. window portion 4295 w inFIGS. 15e-15g ) is displayed on the screen by scrolling. Such anarrangement may be particularly useful in an arrangement wherein theuser interface may comprise a relatively small screen, to reduce theamount of backwards and forwards navigation between different levels ofsub-menus.

In one form, the report sub-menus 4295 r 3 or 4295 r 4 may display oneor more aspects of an operation of the RPT device 4000 and thehumidifier 5000 as for example shown in FIGS. 15i-15j . The one or moreaspects may include, for example, a status of the humidifier 5000, afidelity of connection between the data communication interface 4280 andthe other device/network that it is connected to, a quantity of leak orone or more settings of the RPT device 4000 and the humidifier 5000.

In one form, the report sub-menus 4295 a 1-4295 a 8 may display one ormore sequential images such as an animated arcuate portion shown inFIGS. 15k-15p . In one form, the report sub-menu may change to indicatea change of a status to the user. For example, the animated arcuateportion shown in FIGS. 15k-15p may be displayed to the user to indicatethat the RPT device 4000 is in a ‘ramp’ period. Subsequently, at an endof the ramp period, the report sub-menu may change to one shown in FIG.15q to indicate an end of the ramp period to the user.

5.5 Humidifier 5000

5.5.1 Humidifier Overview

In one form of the present technology there is provided a humidifier5000 to change the absolute humidity of air or gas for delivery to apatient relative to ambient air. Typically, the humidifier 5000 is usedto increase the absolute humidity and increase the temperature of theflow of air (relative to ambient air) before delivery to the patient'sairways. In one form, the humidifier 5000 may be a discrete unit that isconnectable to an RPT device 4000. In another form, the humidifier 5000may be integrated with the RPT device 4000, for example as shown in FIG.5c and as described in further detail below.

A humidifier 5000 may comprise a water reservoir 5110, heating element5240 and one or more transducers. The humidifier 5000 may be configuredto receive a flow of air from a RPT device 4000 and deliver a flow ofhumidified air to a patient interface 3000 for example via an aircircuit 4170.

5.5.2 Humidifier Components

5.5.2.1 Water Reservoir 5110

According to one arrangement, the humidifier 5000 may comprise a waterreservoir 5110 configured to hold, or retain, a volume of liquid (e.g.water) to be used for humidification of the flow of air. FIGS. 16c-16dshow one form of a water reservoir 5110, which comprises a reservoirbase 5112, a reservoir lid 5114, and an intermediate portion 5202including a compliant portion 5116. The water reservoir 5110 isconfigured to hold a predetermined maximum volume of water in order toprovide adequate humidification for at least the duration of respiratorytherapy, such as one evening of sleep. Typically, the reservoir 5110 isconfigured to hold several hundred millilitres of water, e.g. 300millilitres (ml), 325 ml, 350 ml or 400 ml. In other forms, thehumidifier 5000 may be configured to receive a supply of water from anexternal water source such as a building's water supply system.

According to one aspect, the water reservoir 5110 is configured to addhumidity to a flow of air from the RPT device 4000 as the flow of airtravels therethrough. In one form, the water reservoir 5110 may beconfigured to encourage the flow of air to travel in a tortuous paththrough the reservoir 5110 while in contact with the volume of watertherein.

The reservoir 5110 may also be configured to discourage egress of liquidtherefrom, such as when the reservoir 5110 is displaced or rotated fromits normal, working orientation, such as through any apertures or inbetween its sub-components. As the flow of air to be humidified by thehumidifier 5000 is typically pressurised, the reservoir 5110 may also beconfigured to prevent losses in pneumatic pressure through leak or flowimpedance.

The water reservoir 5110 may comprise an inlet 5118 for receiving theflow of air into the reservoir 5110, and an outlet 5122 for delivering aflow of air from the reservoir 5110. The reservoir 5110 may include toan reservoir inlet tube 5124 and an reservoir outlet tube 5126 (e.g.,see FIG. 16e ). In one configuration, the inlet 5118 and reservoir inlettube 5124 are integrally formed as one inlet component and the outlet5122 and the reservoir outlet tube 5126 are integrally formed as oneoutlet component.

FIG. 20-23 show one form of a water reservoir 5110, which comprises areservoir base 5112, a reservoir lid 5114, and a variable portion 5116.The reservoir 5110 is configured to hold a given, maximum volume ofliquid (e.g. water), typically several hundred millilitres, e.g. 300millilitres (ml), 325 ml, 350 ml or 400 ml, although it is to beunderstood that other volumes of liquid may be utilised such as 100 ml,200 ml, 250 ml, 500 ml or more or less. In one form, the reservoir 5110,may comprise a cavity formed by a plurality of walls to hold the given,maximum volume of liquid as shown in FIG. 22-23.

5.5.2.2 Water Reservoir Dock 5130

A humidifier 5000 may comprise a water reservoir dock 5130 to receive awater reservoir 5110. As shown in FIG. 25, the water reservoir dock 5130may form a cavity 5160 to receive the water reservoir 5110. In one form,the water reservoir dock 5130 may be integrated with the humidifier 5000as shown in FIG. 24-27. The water reservoir dock 5130 may also connectthe water reservoir 5110 to the pneumatic path. In this arrangement, thereservoir dock 5130 comprises a dock gas outlet 5168 to output a flow ofbreathable gases to a water reservoir 5110, a dock gas inlet 5170 toreceive the flow of breathable gases that has been humidified in thewater reservoir 5110, and a humidifier outlet 5172 to transfer the flowof humidified breathable gases to the air circuit 4170. The cavity 5160may include a top portion configured to cover at least a portion of thelid of the reservoir 5110 and a bottom portion including the heaterplate 5120.

It should be understood that the reservoir dock 5130 may be providedseparately to a humidifier 5000 in an alternate arrangement. In such anarrangement, additional interfaces may be used to connect the reservoirdock 5130 to the humidifier 5000.

In another arrangement, a water reservoir dock 5130 may comprise anopening in a substantially horizontal plane, so that the water reservoir5110 may be inserted from above or below the water reservoir dock 5130.

5.5.2.3 Water Reservoir Lid 5114

In one form, the water reservoir lid 5114 is pivotably connected to thebase 5112 (e.g. by hinges 5158 as shown in FIG. 16e ) to allow thereservoir 5110 to be converted between an open configuration and aclosed configuration (see FIGS. 16k and 16k ). When the water reservoir5110 is in its closed configuration, the compliant portion 5116 is putinto sealing engagement between the base 5112 and the lid 5114 to sealthe base 5112 and the lid 5114. The hinges 5158 may couple tocomplementary hinge recess portions 5159 (shown in FIG. 16f ) located inthe reservoir base 5112. In one form, the lid 5114 may be constructedfrom a bio-compatible material, such as a plastic or thermoplasticpolymer, for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) orpolycarbonate material. The pivotable connection may further allow thewater reservoir lid 5114 and the base 5112 to be compressed towards eachother in comparison to their normal operating configuration, for examplefor insertion of the reservoir 5110 into the dock 4130 as will bedescribed in further detail below.

Another aspect of the present technology relates to the operation of thepivoting action in the lid 5114 in relation to the base 5112. As the lid5114 rotates about the hinges 5158, a range of rotation may be definedas shown in FIG. 62a and FIG. 62b . In one form, two ends of the rangeof rotation may be defined by closure of the lid 5114 with respect tothe base 5112, where one of the two ends may be a fully open positiondefined by a rotation guide 5220, which may interfere with a rotationstop 5222 at the fully open position.

According to another aspect, the lid 5114 may configured so that when auser attempts to open the lid 5114 further than the rotation stop 5222and the rotation guide 5220, the lid 5114 would disconnect from the base5112. As shown in FIG. 62b and FIG. 63b , at the fully open position therotation guide 5220 may be in contact with the rotation stop 5222. Inthis form, attempts to further open the lid 5114 with respect to thebase 5112 would cause the rotation stop 5222 to act as a pivot of acantilever, and cause the lid 5114 to separate from the base 5112 at thehinges 5158, whereby damage to the reservoir 5110, for example fromapplication of excessive force thereto, may be avoided. In one form, thehinges 5158 may be configured to allow disconnection more easily at oneorientation of the lid 5114 with respect to the base 5112 (e.g. then thereservoir 5110 is in the fully open position) than at anotherorientation. This may be achieved by, for example, introduction of ataper to the hinges 5158 on the lid 5114 as shown in FIGS. 58a and 58 b.

The water reservoir lid 5114 may comprise the inlet 5118, the reservoirinlet tube 5124, the outlet 5122 and the reservoir outlet tube 5126 inone form as shown in FIG. 16e . The reservoir 5110 may further compriseflow elements, such as a baffle (e.g. inlet cap 5125 shown in FIG. 16eand FIG. 16k and/or a plate 5123 as shown in FIG. 16e and FIG. 16k ),configured to increase the length of the tortuous flow path and/or toprevent ingress of water into the inlet tube 5124 and/or the outlet tube5126. In one example, the water reservoir lid 5114 may further compriseone or more baffles configured to direct the air through a tortuous pathin the water reservoir 5110. In one form, the baffle may be coupled toan end of the reservoir inlet tube 5124 as an inlet cap 5125 (as shownin FIG. 16e and FIG. 16k ), and in another form, the baffle may bearranged as a plate 5123 (as shown in FIGS. 16e and 16k ).

5.5.2.4 Compliant/Variable Portion 5116

In one form, when the water reservoir 5110 is in use, the compliantportion 5116 may act as a seal between the reservoir base 5112 and thereservoir lid 5114. The compliant portion 5116 may be provided as partof the reservoir lid 5114 or as part of the reservoir base 5112, orindependently of both, for example as part of an intermediate portion5202 (see FIGS. 16l-16m ). The compliant portion 5116 may be engagedwith the reservoir lid 5114 or the reservoir base 5112 by any number ofmeans including, and not limited to, ultrasonic welding, frictionfitting, gluing or by using an intermediate component.

The compliant portion 5116 preferably includes a sufficiently resilientconstruction so as to be able to resist forces and/or pressuresgenerated in the reservoir 5110, such as those generated by the user,the reservoir dock 5130 and/or the flow of air flowing through thereservoir 5110. The compliant portion 5116 is also preferably compliantto be able couple to the lid 5114 and/or the base 5112, and conform toits shape to form a seal. In one form, a rigid portion of theintermediate portion may be constructed from a nylon material ofapproximately 2 mm thickness (such as 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2.5 mm or 3 mm), anda silicone material may be used to overmould onto the rigid portion toform the compliant portion 5116.

In some arrangements, the compliant portion 5116 may couple to the lid5114 and/or the base 5112, and the base 5112 and/or the lid 5114 may beformed as two separate parts that are able to be assembled with thecompliant portion 5116 coupled therebetween.

In an alternative arrangement, the compliant portion 5116 may be locatedwithin a wall of the reservoir base 5112 and/or a wall of the reservoirlid 5114, for example integrally by overmoulding or as a separatecomponent connected as a sub-assembly. In such an arrangement thecompliant portion would not be located between the reservoir base 5112and the reservoir lid 5114 but within the reservoir base 5112 and/or thereservoir lid 5114. There may be more than one compliant portion 5116 orthe compliant portion may be formed in multiple parts to provide morecompliance in movement of the reservoir 5110.

In one form, when the water reservoir 5110 is in use, the variableportion 5116 may act as a seal between the reservoir base 5112 and thereservoir lid 5114. The variable portion 5116 may also perform otherfunctions, such as to improve thermal contact between the reservoir 5110and the heater plate 5120, as will be described in further detail below.

The variable portion 5116 may be provided as part of the reservoir lid5114 or as part of the reservoir base 5112, or independently of both.The variable portion 5116 may be engaged with the reservoir lid 5114 orthe reservoir base 5112 by any number of means including, and notlimited to, ultrasonic welding, friction fitting, gluing or by using anintermediate component. The variable portion 5116 may comprise a carrier5117 (as shown in FIG. 23).

The variable portion 5116 is preferably constructed sufficientlyresiliently so as to be able to resist compressive forces and/orpressures generated in the reservoir 5110, such as by the user, thereservoir dock 5130 and/or the flow of breathable gas flowing throughthe reservoir 5110. It is also preferably compliant in the planardirection to be able couple to the lid 5114 and/or the base 5112, andconform to its shape. In one form, the carrier 5117 may be constructedfrom a nylon material of approximately 2 mm thickness (such as 1 mm, 1.5mm, 2.5 mm or 3 mm), and a silicone material may be used to overmouldonto the carrier 5117 to form the variable portion.

In some arrangements, the variable portion 5116 may couple to the lid5114 and/or the base 5112, and the base 5112 and/or the lid 5114 may beformed as two separate parts that are able to be assembled with thevariable portion 5116 coupled therebetween.

In an alternative arrangement the variable portion 5116 may be locatedwithin a wall of the reservoir base 5112 and/or a wall of the reservoirlid 5114, for example integrally by overmoulding or as a separatecomponent connected as a sub-assembly. In such an arrangement thevariable portion would not be located between the reservoir base 5112and the reservoir lid 5114 but within the reservoir base 5112 and/or thereservoir lid 5114. There may be more than one variable portion 5116 toprovide more compliance in movement of the reservoir 5110.

5.5.2.5 Water Reservoir Base 5112

According to one arrangement, the reservoir base 5112 comprises aconductive portion 5120 (such as the base conductor plate 5152, e.g.,see FIG. 16f ) configured to thermally couple with a heating element5240 of the humidifier 5000. The conductive portion 5152 improvesefficiency of heat transfer from the heating element 5240 to the volumeof liquid in the reservoir 5110. All or a part of the base conductorplate 5152 may be made of a heat conducting material such as aluminium(e.g. approximately 2 mm thick, such as 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2.5 mm or 3 mm) oranother heat conducting material such as metal. In some cases, suitableheat conductivity may be achieved with less conductive materials ofsuitable thickness.

The reservoir base 5112 may also be configured as a receptacle to retainthe given, maximum volume of liquid that the reservoir 5110 isconfigured to hold. In one form, the base 5112 may comprise furtherfeatures such as an overfill prevention feature.

In one form, the reservoir base 5112 may further comprise an inner lip5224 and/or an outer lip 5226, for example as shown in FIG. 64 and FIG.65. According to one aspect, the inner lip 5224 and/or outer lip 5226may prevent egress of liquid from the reservoir 5110 through theinterface between an intermediate portion 5202 (e.g. the compliantportion 5116) and the base 5112, for example when the intermediateportion 5202 is compressed, or when the intermediate portion 5202 isunder vibration.

It should be appreciated that the reservoir base 5112 may be constructedin any number of parts. The reservoir base 5112 may be constructed as asingle part made of, for example, aluminium or another heat conductingmaterial such as metal. In another arrangement, the reservoir base 5112may be constructed in two parts, for example comprising a lowercomponent and an upper component.

According to one arrangement, the reservoir base 5112 comprises aconducting portion (such as the base conductor plate 5152) configured tothermally couple with a heater plate 5120 of the humidifier 5000. Theconducting portion improves efficiency of heat transfer from the heaterplate 5120 to the volume of liquid in the reservoir 5110. All or a partof the base conductor plate 5152 may be made of a heat conductingmaterial such as aluminium (e.g. approximately 2 mm thick, such as 1 mm,1.5 mm, 2.5 mm or 3 mm) or another heat conducting metal. In some cases,suitable heat conductivity may be achieved with less conductivematerials of suitable thickness.

The reservoir base 5112 may also be configured as a receptacle to retainthe given, maximum volume of liquid that the reservoir 5110 isconfigured to hold. In one form, the base 5112 may comprise furtherfeatures such as an overfill prevention feature as will be described infurther detail below. The reservoir base 5112 may also comprise a baseupper body 5146 and a base bottom plate 5148, which together with thebase conductor plate 5152 may form a receptacle.

The base upper body 5146 and/or the base bottom plate 5148 may beconstructed from a bio-compatible material suitable for retaining thebody of liquid, such as a plastic or thermoplastic polymer, for example,ABS or polycarbonate material. The base conductor plate 5152 maycomprise of a sealing element 5150, which may be integrated to, and/orsealingly connected to both the base upper body 5146 and the base bottomplate 5148 to prevent egress of water from the water reservoir 5110,particularly from the base 5112. For example, the sealing element 5150may be overmoulded onto the base conductor plate 5152, and the resultingcomponent may be secured between the base upper body 5146 and the basebottom plate 5148.

In one form as shown in FIG. 23, the base 5112 may comprise a base upperbody 5146, a base bottom plate 5148, and a base conductor plate 5152.However, it should be appreciated that the reservoir base 5112 may beconstructed in any number of parts. The reservoir base 5112 may beconstructed as a single part made of, for example, aluminium or anotherheat conducting material such as metal. In another arrangement, thereservoir base 5112 may be constructed in two parts, for examplecomprising a lower component and an upper component. In such anarrangement, the lower component may be constructed from a heatconducted material and perform the roles of the base conductor plate5152, sealing element 5150 and base bottom plate 5148, and the uppercomponent may be equivalent to the base upper body 5146, and beconstructed a polycarbonate material.

In one form, the reservoir base 5114 may further comprise an inner lip5224 and/or an outer lip 5226, for example as shown in FIG. 65-FIG. 65.According to one aspect, the inner lip 5224 and/or outer lip 5226 mayprevent egress of liquid from the reservoir 5110 through the interfacebetween an intermediate portion 5202 (e.g. the seal 5204) and the base5114, for example when the intermediate portion 5202 is compressed, orwhen the intermediate portion 5202 is under vibration.

5.5.2.6 Reservoir Handles 5154 5156

FIG. 24-27 show an upper handle 5154 that is located on the reservoirlid 5114, and a lower handle 5156 that is located on the reservoir base5112. These handles are intended to assist the patient (or user) 1000 togrip and hold the water reservoir 5110. In the shown arrangement, thehandles 5154, 5156 are located away from the hinges 5158 such that byholding the reservoir 5110 by the handles 5154 5156 the patient 1000imparts forces onto the reservoir 5110 compressing the variable portion5116, which pushes the lid 5114 and the base 5112 towards each other. Acompression force may also help maintain the variable portion 5116 insealing engagement between the reservoir base 5112 and the reservoir lid5114, such as during transport to/from re-filling the reservoir 5110with liquid. It is to be understood that the handles 5154 and 5156 maybe placed on other components or areas of the water reservoir 5110.

A friction grip 5166 may be provided on a surface of either or both ofthe handles 5154 5156 as shown in FIG. 25. The friction grip 5166 may beconstructed to assist the patient 1000 to hold the reservoir 5110, suchas by being made from a higher friction material, made in a higherfriction texture and/or made into an easier- to hold shape than thesurrounding areas of the reservoir 5110. For example, the friction grip5166 may be constructed from an elastomeric material such as siliconewhereas the water reservoir 5110 may primarily be constructed from apolycarbonate material.

5.5.2.7 Air Flow Path

It is one of the aims of the present technology to force the flow ofbreathable gas to travel through the reservoir 5110 in a tortuous pathbetween the inlet 5118 and the outlet 5122. This prevents any‘short-circuiting’ of the flow of breathable gas, which may lead toinadequate humidity in the flow of breathable gas which is delivered tothe patient 1000.

FIG. 28a-30c show an exemplary path of the flow of breathable gasthrough the reservoir 5110 as it enters through the inlet 5118 and exitsthrough the outlet 5122. The figures are arranged chronologically inthree distinct orthogonal views per figure to visually demonstrate theexemplary flow path. In this arrangement the flow of breathable gasreceived through the inlet 5118 passes through the inlet tube 5124(FIGS. 28a-28c ), into the internal volume of the water reservoir 5110(FIG. 29a-29c ). The flow of breathable gas then passes through theoutlet tube 5126 to exit the water reservoir 5110 at the outlet 5122(FIG. 30a-30c ) as humidified breathable gas. FIG. 28a-30c show thereservoir 5110 with the lid 5114 and the base 5112 in exploded vieworientation for clarity, and any flow of gas that occurs in the internalvolume of the reservoir 5110 is shown in dotted lines. The dotted arrowsshown indicate the general direction of the exemplary flow of breathableair, although it is noted that the nature of gas or air flow means thatany gas flow path includes swirling (e.g. turbulence) of the gas ratherthan a straight and direct air flow path.

In some forms of the present technology, the reservoir 5110 may compriseflow elements, or a baffle 5192, configured to increase the length ofthe tortuous flow path and/or to prevent ingress of water into the inlettube 5124 and/or the outlet tube 5126. For instance, the reservoir 5110may comprise a deflector portion 5198 as shown in FIG. 52a -55, or adeflector portion 5198 or a flow director 5195 FIG. 58a-58b . In somearrangements, the baffle 5192 may further comprise a locating portion5196 as will be described in further detail below.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 52a -55, the deflector portion 5198 isconfigured to prevent the flow of breathable gas from entering theoutlet tube 5126 immediately after exiting the inlet tube 5124 throughthe inlet tube outlet 5125 (i.e. short-circuiting). When assembledtogether as seen in FIG. 52a , the deflector portion 5198 may be locatedclose to the inlet tube inner end 5125, such as by abutting it. In thisarrangement, the deflector portion 5198 forms a cover between the inlettube outlet 5125 and a base of the outlet tube inner end 5127. Thiscover may be further advantageous in that it forces the flow ofbreathable gas to travel in a channel created by the cover and thevolume of water for improved humidity pickup.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 58a-58b , the reservoir 5110 includes aflow director 5195 as well as a deflector portion 5198. The deflectorportion 5198 is configured to prevent short-circuiting of the flow ofbreathable gas, and the flow director 5195 is further configured todirect the flow of breathable gas that exits the inlet tube 5124 in adirection approximately parallel with the volume of liquid in thereservoir 5110. This may ameliorate occurrence of ‘spitting’, which canoccur when the flow of breathable gas exits the inlet tube 5124 in adirection normal to the surface of the volume of liquid.

As shown in FIG. 33-34, the reservoir 5110 may include an end wall 5128that is near and opposed to an interior end 5125 of the inlet tube 5124.The inner end wall 5128 of the reservoir 5110 directs air exiting theinlet tube 5124 to flow across the water surface before it reaches aninterior end 5127 of the outlet tube 5126 and flows out of the outlet5122 through the outlet tube 5126. FIG. 35-38 show examples of otherarrangements of flow elements, wherein the reservoir 5110 may include aturning vane 5136 which is placed near the interior end 5125 of theinlet tube 5124. The turning vane 5136 may be formed as an extension ofthe inlet tube 5124 as shown in FIG. 37-38, or the turning vane 5136 maybe a separate component located adjacent to or coupled with the inlettube 5124. The turning vane may also be profiled as shown in FIG. 37-38.

The path of the flow of breathable air demonstrated in FIG. 28a-30c isexemplary only, and is aimed to demonstrate one of many paths that theflow of breathable gas may traverse through, namely that it enters thewater reservoir 5110 through the inlet 5118 and exits through the outlet5122 after experiencing some degree of swirling within the volume of thewater reservoir 5110. A person skilled in the art would understand thatthe particles or molecules that form the flow of breathable air may notfollow a single path within the water reservoir 5110 due to a number offactors, including, for example, localised turbulence (eddies) orpressure gradients within the water reservoir 5110. As a result thecumulative path of the flow of breathable air may comprise any number ofpaths wherein it experiences various degrees of ‘swirling’ within thewater reservoir 5110 prior to exiting via the outlet tube 5126 at theoutlet 5122. It is also possible that some small portion of the flow ofbreathable air may escape the water reservoir 5110 as a leak.

5.5.2.8 Reservoir Inlet/Outlet

As described above, the reservoir inlet 5118 is configured to receivethe flow of breathable gas into the reservoir 5110, and the reservoiroutlet 5122 is configured to output the humidified flow of breathablegas. The inlet 5118 and/or the outlet 5122 are preferably furtherconfigured to prevent egress of liquid from the reservoir 5110 when thereservoir 5110 is displaced and/or rotated from its normal, workingorientation. Still further, the inlet 5118 and/or the outlet arepreferably configured to prevent short-circuiting of the flow ofbreathable gas as described above. In one form, the inlet 5118 may beconfigured to prevent ‘spitting’, or splashing, of liquid which may becaused by a jet of air impinging on the volume of liquid in thereservoir 5110.

In one arrangement as shown in FIG. 33, the reservoir inlet 5118includes an inlet tube 5124 to provide a flow path for the inlet flow ofbreathable gas into the reservoir 5110, and the reservoir outlet 5122includes an outlet tube 5126 to provide a flow path for the outlet flowof humidified breathable gas from the reservoir 5110.

In one configuration as shown in FIGS. 37-38, it may be advantageous toconfigure the turning vane 5136 so that the lowest portion of theturning vane 5136 extends below the lowest portion of the outlet tube5126. This may further prevent ingress of water into the inlet tube 5124from any ‘spitting’ of water.

The water reservoir 5110 is preferably configured to provide tiltspillback protection from the water flowing back through the outlet tube5126 or the inlet tube 5124. Water egress through the inlet tube 5124may be particularly undesirable as it may introduce water into the PAPdevice 4000 and damage electronic components (such as an electric motor,a flow sensor or a printed circuit board) from exposure to water.

In one arrangement of the present technology, the reservoir 5110achieves spillback protection by arranging the inlet tube outlet 5125 sothat when the reservoir 5110 is rotated by 90 degrees in any directionfrom its working, horizontal orientation the given maximum volume ofwater is able to be stored in the reservoir 5110 without reaching theinlet tube inner end 5125.

In another arrangement of the reservoir 5110, the axes of inlet tube5124 and the outlet tube 5126 may intersect when viewed from above asshown in FIG. 39-40. The inlet tube 5124 and outlet tube 5126 may not beconnected to each other as one of the tubes passes below the other tube,such as the inlet tube 5124 passes below the outlet tube 5126.

This configuration may improve the tilt spillback protection byarranging the inlet tube 5124 and the outlet tube 5126 such that whenthe reservoir 5110 is tilted away from its working orientation, watermust reach the higher end of the inlet tube 5124 or the outlet tube 5126to exit the reservoir 5110. For example, if the reservoir 5110 wastilted such that the water reaches the lower of the interior end 5125 ofthe inlet tube 5124, the water must still rise higher to reach theexterior end of the inlet tube 5124 to exit the reservoir 5110 as shownin FIG. 40.

Simplified representations of the effects created by crossed inlet andoutlet tubing are shown in FIG. 46-49, wherein the internal surfaces areshown by dotted lines. These figures show alternate arrangements of awater reservoir 5110, with an inlet 5118 and an outlet 5122 thatrespectively include an inlet tube 5124 and an outlet tube 5126. FIG.46-47 show a configuration wherein the axes of the tubing intersect whenviewed from the side (as shown in FIG. 47), and FIG. 48-49 show analternate configuration wherein the axes of the tubing are substantiallyparallel when viewed from the side (as shown in FIG. 49). In FIG. 46-49,a volume of water 5182 is assumed to fill approximately half of thevolume of the reservoir 5110, and the water level 5184 is indicated bythe dotted lines extending horizontally.

When the water reservoir 5110 is oriented as shown in FIG. 46-47, thearrangement of the inlet tube 5124 and the outlet tube 5126 requires thewater level 5184 to rise above the higher end of the inlet tube 5124 orthe higher end of the outlet tube 5126 if any water 5182 is to exit thewater reservoir 5110. On the other hand, in the arrangement shown inFIG. 47-48 the water level 5184 only needs to rise as high as a lowerend of the inlet tube 5124 or the outlet tube 5126 in order to exit thewater reservoir 5110.

As the water level 5184 will change as a function of the orientation ofthe water reservoir 5110, this effect of crossing the inlet tube 5124and the outlet tube 5126 may be re-created at any orientation asrequired by re-orienting the inlet tube 5124 and the outlet tube 5126 tosuit the shape of the water reservoir 5110. In some forms, the inlettube 5124 and the outlet tube 5126 may be crossed when viewed frommultiple angles orthogonal to each other.

In the forms shown in FIG. 39-40 and FIG. 46-49, inlet interior end andthe outlet interior end are located within the cavity and the inletexterior end and the outlet exterior end are located in one of theplurality of walls of the cavity. A first axis (inlet tube axis) isdefined by the inlet interior end and the inlet exterior end and asecond axis (outlet tube axis) is defined by the outlet interior end andthe outlet exterior end. When the reservoir is tilted (for example byapproximately 90° to normal working orientation) the first axis is on afirst angle such that the inlet interior end and the inlet exterior endare positioned at different heights, such that the predetermined maximumvolume of water is below at least one of the inlet interior end or theinlet exterior end to prevent spillback of water through the inlet tube.Furthermore, when the reservoir is tilted (for example by approximately90° to normal working orientation) the second axis is on a second anglesuch that the outlet interior end and the outlet exterior end arepositioned at different heights, such that the predetermined maximumvolume of water is below at least one of the outlet interior end or theoutlet exterior end to prevent spillback of water through the outlettube. This effect may be also created wherein the reservoir is tilted atany other angles, to suit the design and/or tilt conditions of thehumidifier 5000 and/or reservoir 5110.

5.5.2.9 Reservoir Arrangement with Removable Inlet/Outlet Tubes

In a yet further example of the current technology, the reservoir 5110may be configured as shown in FIG. 52a -53. In this example, thereservoir 5110 comprises a lid portion 5114, an intermediate portion5202 and a base portion 5112 (base portion not shown in FIG. 52a-52b forclarity). The lid portion 5114 and the intermediate portion 5202 may beconfigured to be releasably engaged to each other. They may be furtherconfigured to comprise a number of features when engaged to each other,such as an inlet 5118, an outlet 5122, an inlet tube 5124 and an outlettube 5126, while being releasably engaged to each other. For example,the lid portion 5114 may comprise an inlet 5118, an outlet 5122 and aninlet tube 5124, and the intermediate portion 5202 may comprise anoutlet tube 5126 as shown in FIG. 52 b.

As shown the intermediate portion 5202 may also comprise a baffle 5192and at least one support spoke 5194. The support spokes 5194 may beprovided for structural support and/or to position the outlet tube 5126and/or the baffle 5192 on the intermediate portion. The baffle 5192 isarranged to block a direct air path (or short-circuiting as describedabove) between the inlet tube inner end 5125 and the outlet tube innerend 5127 to encourage movement of the airflow within the reservoir toimprove humidity uptake by the airflow within the reservoir 5110. Inaddition a seal 5204 may be either integrated with the intermediateportion 5202 as shown or may be formed as separate component to theintermediate portion.

An advantage of this arrangement may be improved cleanability of thereservoir 5110 by separating some of the components from the reservoir,such as the inlet tube 5124 and/or the outlet tube 5126. Thisarrangement may be particularly advantageous in such situations as whenat least one of the inlet tube 5124 or the outlet tube 5126 extends intothe internal volume of the reservoir 5110, as such features may hinderaccess the interior of the reservoir 5110. It can be seen in FIG.52a-52b that the intermediate portion 5202 is engaged with the lidportion 5114 in its normal working orientation. However, as theintermediate portion 5202 is separable from the lid portion 5114, theinlet tube 5124 and the outlet tube 5126 may be separated to improveaccess to the interior of the lid portion 5114.

By using two separable portions 5114, 5202 to construct the upperportion of the reservoir and/or configuring the inlet/outlet tubes 5124,5126 to be releasably engaged to the reservoir 5110, the number ofsmall, difficult-to-access areas may be reduced, which may improvecleanability of the reservoir 5110. Furthermore, the removable inlettube 5124 and/or the removable outlet tube 5126 may be themselves moreeasily accessible for cleaning as well.

In another example of the current technology (not shown), the lidportion 5114 and the intermediate portion 5202 may each comprise partsof a feature, wherein they would combine to form a complete feature. Forinstance, the lid portion 5114 may comprise a part of the inlet tube5124 and a part of the outlet tube 5126, and the intermediate portion5202 may comprise another part of the inlet tube 5124 and another partof the outlet tube 5126. Those skilled in the art will understand thatthe reservoir may be further sub-divided into any number of separableportions, and separable features such as the inlet tube 5124 and/or theoutlet tube 5126 may be located in any number of arrangements inrelation to the separable portions.

Another advantage of the current arrangement may be to improve spillbackperformance (prevention of liquid egress through the inlet tube 5124and/or outlet tube 5126) of the reservoir 5110. Spillback performancemay be improved by increase of the internal volume of the reservoir5110, which may be achieved by introduction of a void above the inlettube 5124 and/or the outlet tube 5126. Another method of improvingspillback performance is to arrange the inlet tube inner end 5125 and/orthe outlet tube inner end 5127 proximal to the center of the reservoir5110. As a reservoir 5110 is typically produced by injection molding,forming an inlet tube 5124 and/or an outlet tube 5126 as a part of thelid 5114 prohibits introduction of a void above the inlet tube 5124and/or the outlet tube 5126. In such a configuration, a molding toolcomprising the internal volume of the lid 5114 would be pinned in placeby the inlet tube 5124 and/or the outlet tube 5126 and thus moldingwould not be possible, or require a complex and costly toolingarrangement. In such a case, the ability to separate the inlet tube 5124and the outlet tube 5126 may be further advantageous.

It will be understood that the lid portion 5114, the intermediateportion 5202 and the base portion 5112 may be configured in any numberof ways. For instance, the relative sizes of the lid portion 5114 andthe base portion 5112 may vary, and the lid portion 5114 and/or the baseportion 5112 may further comprise multiple materials or components inits construction. One or more of the inlet tube 5124 and the outlet tube5126 may be removably or releasably coupled to the lid portion 5114 orthe base portion 5112, for example as a part of the intermediateportion. The intermediate portion may also be configured to initiallyengage the lid portion 5114 and/or the base portion 5112, for example bybeing configured to be inserted into the lid portion 5114 or the baseportion 5112.

Another feature of this arrangement is the use of support spokes 5194 inorder to provide structural rigidity to the intermediate portion 5202 ofthe lid 5114. The spokes 5194, by themselves or in combination with thebaffle 5192, may provide a handle for disassembly of the lid 5114 fromthe intermediate portion 5202. This may improve usability of the lid5114 as the user may grip the baffle 5192 and/or the spokes 5194 toseparate the intermediate portion 5202 from the lid portion 5114. Itshould be understood that a number of other configurations may bepossible wherein the support spokes 5194 are arranged alternatively tothe exemplary arrangement as shown in FIG. 54a -55.

In an example of the current technology, the baffle 5192 may comprise alocating portion 5196 and a deflector portion 5198 as seen in FIG. 54a-55. The locating portion 5196 may be in the form of a cylinder toassist in accurately locating the baffle 5192 in relation to the inlettube 5124 by fitting around the outside of the vertical portion of theinlet tube 5124. In some forms, the baffle 5192 may further comprise abaffle seal 5197 to seal between the baffle 5192 and the inlet tube5124, for example as shown in FIG. 59b . The baffle 5192 may also beconfigured in combination with the spokes 5194 so that at least someportions of the baffle 5192 may act as a spoke 5194 or vice versa.

An exemplary cross-section of the assembled lid 5114 is shown in FIG.56a-56b . The diameter of the inlet tube 5124 or the locating portion5196 may be varied along its length, for example in a frustro-conicalarrangement, so as to progressively engage with each other. The twocomponents 5124, 5196 may also incorporate a complementary retainingmechanism such as a protrusion/slot combination 5205 as shown in FIG.56a -56 b.

It is also to be understood that the seal 5204 may be located at analternative location to the exemplary arrangements shown in FIG. 52a-55. For example, the seal 5204 may be formed as a part of the lidportion 5114, as a part of the reservoir base portion 5112, or as aseparate component by itself that is not integrally formed to any of thelid portion 5114, the intermediate portion 5202 and the base 5112. Oneexemplary method of forming the seal 5204 with the lid portion 5114 orthe base 5112 may be by overmoulding or use of a chemical adhesive.

FIG. 57 shows an exploded view of another example of the currenttechnology. In this arrangement, the reservoir 5110 comprises a lidportion 5114, an intermediate portion 5202 and a base portion 5112 (notshown in FIG. 57 for clarity). The intermediate portion 5202 comprisesthe inlet tube 5124 and the outlet tube 5126 as well as a wall portion5206 that is configured to be coupled with the lid portion.Alternatively the intermediate portion 5202 may engage the base portion5112, and may comprise one or both of the inlet tube 5124 and the outlettube 5126. In some cases, the wall portion 5206 that is configured tocouple with the lid portion may connected with one or more of the inlettube 5124 and the outlet tube 5126.

This configuration may allow removal of the inlet tube 5124 and/or theoutlet tube 5126 for improved cleanability of the reservoir 5110.Furthermore, this configuration may improve spillback performance of thereservoir 5110 by increasing the internal volume of the reservoir 5110.

In some cases, the inlet tube 5124 and the outlet tube 5126 may bearranged so that removal of either or both of the tubes 5124, 5126 fromthe reservoir 5110 does not affect the predetermined maximum volume ofwater that the reservoir 5110 may retain. Such a configuration may allowcleaning of the tubes 5124, 5126 without removing any water from thereservoir 5110.

5.5.2.10 Overfill Prevention

In some prior art humidifier water reservoirs, overfilling of the waterreservoir 5110 may reduce effectiveness of a spill prevention feature.For example, overfilling may allow the liquid in the reservoir 5110 toreach the inlet 5118 at a lower angle of tilt than if the reservoir 5110had not been over-filled. As a result, some prior art humidifier waterreservoirs have included a water filling indication mark to reduceoccurrence of such overfilling, however this may only go some waytowards ameliorating this risk.

Another aspect of this technology is the inclusion of one or moreoverfill protection features configured to prevent filling the reservoirabove the maximum volume of water when filling the humidifier reservoirin its open configuration and/or the closed configuration.

In one arrangement as seen in FIGS. 41a and 41b , an overfill protectionfeature may include at least one orifice 5138 in the water reservoir5110 to indicate over-filling. According to this aspect of thetechnology, when the water reservoir 5110 is being re-filled with thereservoir lid 5114 open, over-filling beyond a predetermined maximumvolume of the reservoir 5110 would cause water to spill out from theorifice 5138. This would indicate to the user that the reservoir 5110 isfull, as well as preventing such overfilling. Advantageously water wouldspill out only through the at least one orifice 5138 rather than fromall areas of the water reservoir resulting in less overflow spillage forthe user to clean up. Thus, the at least one orifice defines an egresspath of water when the predetermined maximum volume of water isexceeded. FIG. 41a show the water reservoir 5110 in its openconfiguration, wherein an upper flange of the base 5112 does not spanthe perimeter of the entire opening, creating an orifice 5138. FIG. 41bshows a portion of the base 5112 indicating the at least one orifice5138. The at least one orifice 5138 may be in the form of one or moreapertures, holes, slits or slots, or any other form that allowscommunication of fluid into and out of the water reservoir 5110. The atleast one orifice 5138 may be formed in one or more positions around theupper flange of the base 5112.

In an alternate arrangement, the overfill protection feature may includea sloped profile 5139. As shown in FIGS. 41c and 41d , the reservoirbase 5112 may be arranged so that its side profile has a sloped profile5139 in one or more directions. This arrangement may also indicateover-filling when the reservoir base 5112 is re-filled with liquid orwater. In this arrangement, when the reservoir lid 5114 is in its openconfiguration, water may spill out at the base of the sloped profile5139 rather than from all areas of the reservoir. Thus, the slopedprofile defines an egress path of water when the predetermined maximumvolume of water is exceeded. Advantages of the above methods may be thatover-filling may become more difficult than has been in the prior art,and presents another advantage that in response to attemptedover-filling, spillage may occur at more predictable locations.

Another aspect of this technology is that when the water reservoir 5110is in its closed position, a seal 5204 sealingly engages the base 5112and the reservoir lid 5114 and blocks or seals the orifice 5138 orsloped profile 5139 preventing fluid communication into and out of thewater reservoir 5110. One arrangement of this feature is shown in FIG.42, which shows that when the reservoir lid 5114 is closed (lid notshown in this image), the seal 5204 sealingly engages with the base 5112on the outside of the orifice 5138 and no longer allows communication ofliquid or air into and out of the water reservoir 5110 through theorifice 5138. Similarly the seal 5204 would engage with the base 5112 tosurround the edges of the sloped profile preventing communication ofliquid or air into and out of the water reservoir 5110 through thesloped profile 5139. In some arrangements the seal 5204 may beintegrated with the variable portion 5116 as described above.Alternatively the seal 5204 may be a separate seal that may be used in areservoir with or without a variable portion.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an overfillprevention feature may be configured to prevent overfilling when a useris attempting to fill the reservoir 5110 while in its closedconfiguration.

In one form (shown in FIG. 60 without the reservoir base 5112), theoverfill prevention feature may form one or more air locks to preventfurther ingress of liquid into the reservoir 5110 when the predeterminedmaximum volume of liquid is in the reservoir 5110. In this form, whenfilling the reservoir 5110 in its closed configuration, the one or moreair locks would form an enclosure of gas in the reservoir 5110 that isnot displaced by the volume of liquid in the reservoir 5110. In anexample shown in FIG. 60, the reservoir 5110 is in an orientation suchthat the normal to the inlet 5118 and the outlet 5122 are orientedvertically, as a user would orient the reservoir 5110 while filling itwith water. The water level 5184 would rise, and reach the level shownon FIG. 60, whereupon the remaining volume of gas in the reservoir 5110is no longer able to access the inlet tube 5124 or the outlet tube 5126,therefore would no longer be able to escape from the reservoir 5110. Thereservoir 5110 would thus not be able to receive any further volume ofwater into its interior volume.

Preferably, the volume of water in the reservoir 5110 when any furtheringress of water into the reservoir 5110 is prevented by formation ofthe one or more air locks is substantially equal to the predeterminedmaximum volume of liquid to be retained in the reservoir 5110. In somecases, the reservoir 5110 may allow further filling of the inlet tube5124 and/or the outlet tube 5126 although further ingress of water intothe interior volume is prevented by the air locks. In such cases, thevolume of liquid in the reservoir 5110 when the air locks are formed, aswell as the volume of the inlet tube 5124 and/or the outlet tube 5126may be configured so that when added together, they are substantiallyequal to the predetermined maximum volume of liquid to be retained inthe reservoir 5110.

In some cases, for example where the normal to the inlet 5118 and theoutlet 5122 may not be parallel, a user may fill the reservoir 5110 inone of a multiple orientations while closed. In such cases, thereservoir 5110 may be configured such that the appropriate air locks areformable at one of, or a plurality of the multiple orientations. The airlocks need not be formed solely by occlusion of the inlet tube 5124and/or the outlet tube 5126. In some forms (not shown), one or more airlocks may be formed by occlusion of any cavities or ports which mayallow fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of thereservoir 5110. Furthermore, the occlusion need not be performed by thevolume of liquid in the reservoir 5110. In some forms, the volume ofliquid, as it is increased, may deform or move another component to forma seal (and thus an air lock) in the reservoir.

5.5.2.11 Retaining Clip

The reservoir lid 5114 may include a feature by which the waterreservoir 5110 is to be retained in the water reservoir dock 5130 oncethe two members are engaged with each other. In one arrangement aretaining feature may be a protrusion, or a clip, 5142 on the reservoirlid 5114 as shown in FIGS. 43-44. FIGS. 43-44 show a water reservoir5110 and the reservoir dock 5130. Here, a protrusion, or a clip, 5142 onthe reservoir lid 5114 removably engages with a corresponding docklocking recess 5144 in the water reservoir dock 5130 when the waterreservoir 5110 is inserted into the water reservoir dock 5130. Thisconnection secures the water reservoir 5110 relative to the waterreservoir dock 5130.

As described above the variable portion 5116 of the reservoir iscompressed to enable insertion of the reservoir into the dock 5130. Thecompression of the variable portion 5116 allows a portion of thereservoir 5110 to slide into the dock 5130 and allows the protrusion orclip 5142 to slide initially under the outer edge surface of the dock5130 to reach the dock locking recess 5144. The compression forceapplied to the reservoir for insertion may then be released to allow theprotrusion or clip 5142 to engage with the dock locking recess 5144 andsecuring of the reservoir 5110 within the dock 5130. When the reservoir5110 is secured within the dock 5130 the variable portion 5116 is nolonger in or in a reduced compressed state. Similarly, in order to beable to remove the water reservoir 5110 from the water reservoir dock5130, the variable portion 5116 must be compressed as to disengage thelid retention protrusion 5142 from the dock locking recess 5144.

The retention protrusion 5142 may be further configured with a taper asshown in FIG. 44. The taper may be directed to increase in height awayfrom the direction of insertion, to increase the amount of interferencebetween the retention protrusion 5142 and the dock 5130 progressivelyduring insertion. It would be clear to those skilled in the art that inan alternative arrangement the lid retention protrusion 5142 may be arecess, and the dock locking recess 5144 may be a correspondingprotrusion. Alternatively one of any number of retaining features thatare known in the art may be used to achieve the same outcomes asdescribed above.

5.5.2.12 Water Reservoir-to-Humidifier Connection

In one form, the water reservoir 5110 in use receives a flow of airoutput by the RPT device 4000 at the dock outlet 4132. The waterreservoir 5110 is removably coupled with the humidifier 5000, forexample configured (as shown in FIGS. 16g-16h ) to be insertable intothe dock 4130. When the water reservoir 5110 is engaged with the dock4130, the reservoir inlet 5118 may receive the flow of air output by theRPT device 4000, and direct the flow of air into the water reservoir5110. Humidity (i.e. water vapour) is added to the flow of air as theair travels through the reservoir 5110, and the humidified flow of airexits the reservoir 5110 through the reservoir outlet tube 5126 and tothe reservoir outlet 5122. The reservoir outlet 5122 is connectable toan air circuit 4170 to deliver the flow of humidified air to the patient1000.

The double-ended arrows in FIG. 16h show the direction of relativemotion, i.e. generally horizontal movement, between the humidifier 5000and the water reservoir 5110 in connection and disconnection with eachother in this arrangement. In the arrangement shown in FIGS. 16g-16h ,the water reservoir 5110 is connected with the humidifier 5000 byplacing the water reservoir 5110 in the dock 4130. In this arrangement,the heights and shapes of the cavity in the dock 4130 and the waterreservoir 5110 are such that to engage the water reservoir 5110 with thedock 4130 the compliant portion 5116 is compressed, for example bybetween about 1 mm and about 5 mm, for example by about 2 mm, about 3 mmor about 4 mm. Thus, the shape of the portion of the water reservoir5110 that is inserted into the dock 4130 is complementary to the shapeof the dock cavity 5160 and the height of the water reservoir 5110 whencompliant portion 5116 is compressed is slightly less than the height ofthe dock cavity 5160 to enable the insertion of the water reservoir 5110into the dock cavity 5160.

In one form, a compressive force is required to sufficiently compressthe compliant portion 5116 and allow relative movement (i.e. sliding)between the water reservoir 5110 and the dock 4130. For example acompression force as measured at the handle recesses 5154, 5156 ofbetween about 10 N and about 30 N, or about 20 N, or some othercompression force is required to allow insertion of the water reservoir5110 into the dock 4130. The vertical gap achieved between the waterreservoir 5110 and the cavity of the dock 4130 during insertion (orremoval) may be between about 1 mm and about 5 mm, for example about 2mm, 3 mm or 4 mm, when this compressive force is applied at the handlerecesses 5154, 5156 and the water reservoir 5110 is inserted into thedock 4130. The water reservoir 5110 and the dock 4130 may be arranged sothat the amount of compression in the compliant portion 5116 is reducedonce the water reservoir 5110 is connected with the dock 4130 and thepatient 1000 is no longer applying a compressive force. The reduction incompression may be between about 0.5 mm and about 2.5 mm, for exampleabout 1 mm, 1.5 mm or 2 mm.

In the illustrated arrangement (see FIGS. 16a-16b ) the reservoir outlet5122 is connectable to the dock inlet 4134, through which the humidifiedflow of air travels to the humidifier outlet 5172. The humidifier outlet5172 is connectable to the air circuit 4170 as indicated in FIG. 13 bythe double-ended dotted arrow (see FIG. 13). An advantage of such anarrangement is that the water reservoir 5110 can be removed from thedock 4130 while the air circuit 4170 remains attached to the deviceoutlet 4004. Thus the insertion and removal of the water reservoir 5110is independent of the connection of the air circuit 4170. A furtheradvantage is that the water reservoir 5110 must be removed from the dock4130 to fill the water reservoir 5110 with liquid. In this form, neitherof the inlet 5118 and the outlet 5122 of the reservoir 5110 are exposedwhile the reservoir 5110 is inserted in the humidifier 5000 in anoperating configuration, while the reservoir 5110 itself remainsaccessible to the patient 1000, for example to allow easy removal fromthe humidifier 5000. This arrangement may reduce the likelihood of theuser over-filling the water reservoir 5110 over the predetermined,maximum volume of liquid, as the water reservoir 5110 incorporatesfeatures to prevent over-filling. Still further, as the user isencouraged to remove the water reservoir 5110 to fill the reservoir 5110with liquid, the likelihood of spillage of water onto, or into, thehumidifier 5000 and/or the RPT device 4000 is reduced.

The compliant portion 5116 may be constructed from an elastomericmaterial such as silicone, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), TPE polyester,TPE polyurethane or natural rubber. In choosing the material to be usedfor the compliant portion 5116 it may be advantageous to choose one thatdoes not experience mechanical relaxation across the range of storageand operational temperatures that the compliant portion 5116 may beexposed to. One example of a material for the compliant portion 5116which meets these requirements may be silicone.

A reservoir latch 5186 may be provided on the water reservoir 5110, asshown in FIG. 40, so that when the reservoir latch 5186 is engaged, itsecures the reservoir lid 5114 and reservoir base 5112 together. Thelatch 5186 may prevent the reservoir lid 5114 and the reservoir base5112 from separating and maintain the compliant portion 5116 in sealingengagement between the lid 5114 and the base 5112, for example bycompression. In one form, the latch 5186 may be configured to restrictrelative movement of the lid 5114 in relation to the base 5112 in onedirection only, thus allow further compression of the compliant portion5116 while preventing separation of the lid 5114 and the base 5112. Thismay allow insertion of the water reservoir 5110 into the dock 4130,and/or allow the compliant portion 5116 to assist thermal engagementbetween the reservoir 5110 and the heating element 5240 as describedelsewhere in this disclosure.

When in use, the water reservoir 5110 receives the flow of breathableair for example output by the PAP device 4000. In one form, the waterreservoir 5110 is removably coupled with the humidifier 5000 as shown inFIG. 24-27 by inserting the water reservoir into the water reservoirdock 5130, for example by sliding. The inlet 5118 of the water reservoir5110 is configured to receive the flow of breathable gas that is outputby the PAP device 4000, and to direct the flow of breathable gas intothe water reservoir 5110. Humidity (i.e. water vapour) is added to theflow of breathable gas as the breathable gas travels through thereservoir 5110, and the humidified flow of breathable gas exits thereservoir 5110 through the outlet tube 5126 and to the reservoir outlet5122. The reservoir outlet 5122 is connectable to an air circuit 4170 todeliver the flow of humidified breathable gas to the patient 1000.

The double-ended arrows in FIG. 25 and FIG. 27 show the direction ofrelative motion, i.e. generally horizontal movement, between thehumidifier 5000 and the water reservoir 5110 in connection anddisconnection with each other in this arrangement. However, the waterreservoir 5110 may be coupled to the humidifier 5000 by other methodssuch as insertion in a generally vertical direction, connection by oneor more intermediate components (e.g. tubes) or being integrally formedwith a humidifier.

In an alternative arrangement, not shown, the water reservoir 5110, maybe inserted into the dock cavity 5160 from a vertical direction ratherthan using a sliding motion. In such an arrangement the dock cavity ofthe humidifier 5000 may comprise a moveable cover portion, such as a lidor top portion, which is at least partially opened to allow insertion ofthe water reservoir 5110 and closed following insertion to secure thewater reservoir 5110 within the dock cavity 5160.

In the illustrated arrangement (see FIG. 27) the reservoir outlet 5122is connectable to the reservoir dock gas inlet 5170, through which thehumidified flow of breathable air travels to the humidifier outlet 5172.The humidifier outlet 5172 is connectable to the air delivery circuit orair circuit 4170 as indicated in FIG. 13 by the double-ended dottedarrow (see FIG. 24). One advantage of such an arrangement is that thehumidifier reservoir 5110 must be removed from the reservoir dock 5130to fill the humidifier reservoir 5110 with liquid. This arrangementgenerally prevents access to any openings in the humidifier reservoir5110 while it is connected to the humidifier 5000, and may reduce thelikelihood of the user over-filling the water reservoir 5110 over thegiven, maximum volume of liquid, as the humidifier reservoir 5110incorporates features to prevent over-filling as described furtherbelow. Still further, as the user is encouraged to remove the waterreservoir 5110 to fill the reservoir 5110 with liquid, the likelihood ofspillage of water onto, or into, the humidifier 5000 and/or the PAPdevice 4000 is reduced.

As shown in FIG. 27, first and second dock seals 5132, 5134 may beprovided to help seal the connection between the reservoir inlet 5118and the dock 5130 and the connection between the reservoir outlet 5122and the dock 5130.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 26-27, the water reservoir 5110 isconnected with the humidifier 5000 by placing the water reservoir 5110in the water reservoir dock 5130. In this arrangement, the heights andshapes of the dock internal cavity 5160 and the water reservoir 5110 aresuch that to engage the water reservoir 5110 with the water reservoirdock 5130 the variable portion 5116 is compressed, for example bybetween about 1 mm and about 5 mm, for example by about 2 mm, about 3 mmor about 4 mm. Thus, the shape of the portion of the water reservoir5110 that is inserted into the dock 5130 is complementary to the shapeof the dock cavity 5160 and the height of the water reservoir 5110 whenvariable portion 5116 is compressed is slightly less than the height ofthe dock cavity 5160 to enable the insertion of the water reservoir 5110into the dock cavity 5160.

The variable portion 5116 may be constructed with a cross-section shapesuch as one shown in FIG. 50. A compressive force is required tosufficiently compress the variable portion 5116 and allow relativemovement (i.e. sliding) between the water reservoir 5110 and the waterreservoir dock 5130. For example a compression force as measured at thehandle recesses 5154, 5156 of between about 10 N and about 30 N, orabout 20 N, or some other compression force is required to allowinsertion of the water reservoir 5110 into the dock cavity 5160. Thevertical gap achieved between the water reservoir 5110 and the dockinternal cavity 5160 during insertion (or removal) may be between about1 mm and about 5 mm, for example about 2 mm, 3 mm or 4 mm, when thiscompressive force is applied at the handle recesses and the waterreservoir 5110 is inserted into the reservoir dock 5130. The waterreservoir 5110 and the reservoir dock 5130 may be arranged so that theamount of compression in the variable portion 5116 is reduced once thewater reservoir 5110 is connected with the reservoir dock 5130 and thepatient 1000 is no longer applying a compressive force. The reduction incompression may be between about 0.5 mm and about 2.5 mm, for exampleabout 1 mm, 1.5 mm or 2 mm.

The variable portion 5116 may be constructed from an elastomericmaterial such as silicone, TPE, TPE polyester, TPE polyurethane ornatural rubber. In choosing the material to be used for the variableportion 5116 it may be advantageous to choose one that does notexperience mechanical relaxation across the range of storage andoperational temperatures that the variable portion 5116 may be exposedto. One example of a material for the variable portion 5116 which meetsthese requirements may be silicone.

A reservoir latch 5186 may be provided on the water reservoir 5110, asshown in FIG. 40, so that when the reservoir latch 5186 is engaged, itsecures the reservoir lid 5114 and reservoir base 5112 together. Thelatch 5186 may prevent the reservoir lid 5114 and the reservoir base5112 from separating and maintain the variable portion 5116 in sealingengagement between the lid 5114 and the base 5112, for example bycompression. In one form, the latch 5186 may be configured to restrictrelative movement of the lid 5114 in relation to the base 5112 in onedirection only, thus allow further compression of the variable portion5116 while preventing separation of the lid 5114 and the base 5112. Thismay allow insertion of the water reservoir 5110 into the reservoir dock5130, and/or allow the variable portion 5116 to assist thermalengagement between the reservoir 5110 and the heater plate 5120 asdescribed elsewhere in this disclosure.

5.5.2.12.1 Pre-Compression for Improved Thermal Contact

According to one aspect of this technology, the water reservoir 5110 andthe heater plate 5120 of the humidifier are in thermal contact, orthermal engagement, as described above. A degree of thermal contact, forexample measured in thermal conductivity or thermal contact resistance,between two components may vary according to a number of parameters.

In the prior art, additional components have been used to improvethermal contact between a water reservoir and a heater plate byincreasing the contact pressure therebetween. One example is the use ofspring elements, which are used to connect the heater plate to thehumidifier body, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,203,027, therebypushing the heater plate towards the water reservoir. Another example isa humidifier with a lid wherein a compressible elastomer seal isprovided on the lid, as described in WO2010/031126. In this example,when the lid is in its closed position the seal engages against thewater reservoir and pushes it against the heater plate.

In the present technology, pre-compression of the water reservoir 5110,for example in engagement with the water reservoir dock 4130, may beused to help improve thermal contact between the reservoir 5110 and theheating element 5240.

In one arrangement, the water reservoir 5110 may be configured so thatin its operating configuration, such as when it is placed in the waterreservoir dock 41305130, the compliant portion 5116 is compressed asdescribed above. The reservoir 5110 and the reservoir dock 4130 may befurther configured so that a reaction force to the compression of thecompliant portion 5116 pushes the base 5112 of the water reservoir 5110against the heating element 5240 to improve the thermal contacttherebetween.

Thus, the compliant portion 5116 may act as a spring that is biased topush the reservoir base 5112 and/or the reservoir lid 5114 in adirection perpendicular to the heating element 5240. As the reservoir5110 is secured externally, such as confined within the reservoir dock4130, the compression of the compliant portion 5116 is reacted by aforce that encourages improved thermal engagement with the heatingelement 5240.

The force required for compression of the compliant portion 5116 whenthe water reservoir 5110 is connected with the humidifier 5000 ispreferably in the same direction as the normal to a surface of theconductive portion. The direction may be also preferably in the samedirection as the direction of thermal engagement. This force is reactedby the water reservoir dock 4130 at its contacting points and/orsurfaces, thereby pushing the base 5112 of the water reservoir 5110 andthe heating element 5240 together.

The magnitude of compression force may be between about 5 N and about 15N when measured at the heating element 5240 when the water reservoir5110 is placed in the water reservoir dock 4130. However, it should beunderstood that different configurations of the water reservoir 5110 mayrequire different magnitudes of compression force. The magnitude of thisforce may be altered by modifying the design of any or all of thecompliant portion 5116, the lid 5114, the base 5112, or the reservoirdock 4130. For instance, if the compliant portion 5116 was constructedof a material with higher Young's modulus, it would correspondinglyincrease the magnitude of the force. It should be noted that FIG. 20only shows forces and pressures in the vertical direction.

In some cases, the amount of compression of the compliant portion 5116in the reservoir 5110 may be used to vary a level of thermal engagementbetween the conductive portion and the heating element 5240.

5.5.2.13 Conductive Portion 5120

According to one arrangement, the reservoir 5110 comprises a conductiveportion 5120 configured to allow efficient transfer of heat from theheating element 5240 to the volume of liquid in the reservoir 5110. Inone form, the conductive portion 5120 may be arranged as a plate,although other shapes may also be suitable. All or a part of theconductive portion 5120 may be made of a thermally conductive materialsuch as aluminium (e.g. approximately 2 mm thick, such as 1 mm, 1.5 mm,2.5 mm or 3 mm), another heat conducting metal or some plastics. In somecases, suitable heat conductivity may be achieved with less conductivematerials of suitable geometry.

5.5.2.13.1 Thermal Contact/Engagement

According to one aspect of this technology, the water reservoir 5110 andthe heater plate 5120 of the humidifier are in thermal contact, orthermal engagement, as described above. A degree of thermal contact, forexample measured in thermal conductivity or thermal contact resistance,between two components may vary according to a number of parameters.

In the prior art, additional components have been used to improvethermal contact between a water reservoir and a heater plate byincreasing the contact pressure therebetween. One example is the use ofspring elements, which are used to connect the heater plate to thehumidifier body, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,203,027, therebypushing the heater plate towards the water reservoir. Another example isa humidifier with a lid wherein a compressible elastomer seal isprovided on the lid, as described in WO2010/031126. In this example,when the lid is in its closed position the seal engages against thewater reservoir and pushes it against the heater plate.

5.5.2.13.1.1 Use of Pressurised Gas for Improved Thermal Contact

According to another aspect, when the water reservoir 5110 is connectedwith the humidifier 5000, the flow of breathable gas received from thePAP device may pressurise a chamber such as the interior of thereservoir 5110. The pressurisation of the chamber may be used toincrease a level of thermal engagement (i.e. thermal contact) betweenthe reservoir 5110 and the heater plate 5120. The reservoir 5110 may befurther configured so that by varying the level of pressure in thechamber may vary the level of thermal contact between the reservoir 5110and the heater plate 5120.

In one form, the variable portion 5116 may be configured to beexpandable in the direction of thermal contact, and the reservoir 5110may be confined by the reservoir dock 5130 in the same direction. Inthis form, the internal pressure pushes the base 5112 of the waterreservoir 5110 against the heater plate 5120 to improve the level ofthermal engagement between the heater plate 5120 and the base 5112.

FIG. 32 illustrates this effect by indicating the distributed forces orpressures that are applied to the lid 5114 and the base 5112 by thearrows shown. FIG. 32 shows forces and pressures in the verticaldirection only, as in this form the thermal engagement occurs in thevertical direction. The presence of above-atmospheric pressure withinthe water reservoir 5110 results in forces in the direction of thermalengagement, and is reacted by the water reservoir dock 5130 at itscontacting surfaces, thereby pushing the base 5112 of the waterreservoir 5110 and the heater plate 5120 towards each other in thedirection of thermal engagement. The magnitude of this force may bebetween about 5 N and about 15 N when measured at the heater plate 5120at 20 cm H₂O of pressure.

It should be understood that different configurations of the waterreservoir 5110 may require different magnitudes of force, which may beachieved by varying the surface area that the pressure acts on, or theeffective pressure that acts on the surface. Such changes may beachieved, for example, by a pressure regulating valve.

In another arrangement, substantially the same effects as thosedescribed above may be achieved with a non-opening variable portion of awater reservoir 5110. The water reservoir 5110 and the reservoir dock5130 may be arranged so that elasticity or flexibility is provided by anelastomeric material or a joint that allows freedom of movement (e.g. asliding connection, or a concertina section of pliable plastic or aflexible portion in the water reservoir) in the direction of the heattransfer. In this configuration the lid 5114 and the base 5112 may beunconstrained relative to each other in the direction of thermalcontact. The reservoir 5110 may then be constrained in the direction ofthe heat transfer in another manner (e.g. by a water reservoir dock or asimilar housing) to create a force that reacts to balance the pressurecreated in the interior of the reservoir 5110 by the pressurized flow ofbreathable air, wherein some of the reaction force may occur at theheater plate 5120 to improve thermal contact. In such arrangements,another opening to re-fill the water reservoir 5110 may be introduced onthe reservoir 5110, such as on the lid 5114, and it may comprise aseparate seal.

FIG. 45 shows an example of such an arrangement, including a base 5174,a top 5176, a variable portion 5178 and a re-filling cap 5180. The base,the top and the variable portion may be affixed together in anotherarrangement, wherein re-filling of the reservoir would be accommodatedby the re-filling cap, 5180. The re-filling cap 5180 may be placed suchthat when the humidifier reservoir 5110 is engaged with the reservoirdock 5130 the re-filling cap 5180 is not accessible. Such an arrangementmay preserve the advantage described above, namely that the reservoir5110 is not able to be re-filled while it is engaged with the reservoirdock 5130. Furthermore, the variable portion 5178 may be replaced by anymechanism known in the art that is able to accommodate a change invertical length within a reservoir.

In a yet another alternate arrangement, the flow of breathable air maybe used to improve the level of thermal contact between the humidifierreservoir 5110 and the heater plate 5120 by pressurisation or inflationof a secondary component. The secondary component may be a chamber, bodyor surface that acts on the humidifier reservoir 5110, which in turnpushes the water reservoir 5110 and the heater plate 5120 together inthe direction of thermal engagement. Similarly, the secondary componentmay act upon the heater plate 5120 to push the heater plate 5120 andwater reservoir 5110 together in the direction of thermal engagement.

The secondary component may be arranged externally to the reservoir 5110and/or the heater plate 5120. Furthermore, the secondary component maybe configured to vary the area in contact with the reservoir 5110 and/orthe heater plate 5120, to further profile the change to thermal contactas pressure of the flow of breathable gas changes.

In an alternate arrangement, the water reservoir dock 5130 may include aretaining mechanism (for example, a lid that closes around the waterreservoir 5110) to hold the water reservoir 5110 in its intendedposition. In such an arrangement, a reservoir dock lid may be configuredto compress and/or confine the variable portion 5116 in order to improvethe level of thermal contact.

The level of thermal contact may also be further improved using a springloaded or sprung heater plate as is known in the prior art. The heaterplate may be constructed with a convex or domed shape towards thehumidifier reservoir 5110 so that when the humidifier 5110 is engagedwith the reservoir dock 5130 the convex heater plate is flattened, whichgenerates a clamping force pushing the heater plate 5120 to the waterreservoir 5110. Similarly, the conductor plate 5152 of the waterreservoir 5110 may be domed or convex shaped and be configured to beflattened towards to the heater plate when the water reservoir 5110 isengaged in the dock cavity 5160 of the humidifier 5000.

Any one of the above means of improving thermal contact may be usedindependently of each other, or in any combination thereof, including incombination with any prior art means of achieving or improving thermalengagement between the humidifier reservoir and the heater plate.

5.5.2.14 Humidifier Transducer(s) 5210

The humidifier 5000 may comprise one or more humidifier transducers(sensors) 5210 instead of, or in addition to, transducers 4270 describedabove. Humidifier transducers 5210 may include one or more of an airpressure sensor, an air flow sensor, a temperature sensor or a humiditysensor as shown in FIG. 5c . A humidifier transducer 5210 may produceone or more output signals which may be communicated to a controllersuch as the central controller 4230 or the humidifier controller 5250.In some forms, a humidifier transducer may be located externally to thehumidifier 5000 (such as in the air circuit 4170) while communicatingthe output signal to the controller.

5.5.2.14.1 Pressure Transducer 5212

One or more pressure transducers 5212 may be provided to the humidifier5000 in addition to, or instead of, a pressure transducer 4272 providedin the RPT device 4000.

5.5.2.14.2 Flow Transducer 5214

One or more flow transducers 5214 may be provided to the humidifier 5000in addition to, or instead of, a flow transducer 4274 provided in theRPT device 4000.

5.5.2.14.3 Temperature Transducer 5216

The humidifier 5000 may comprise one or more temperature transducers5216. The one or more temperature transducers 5216 may be configured tomeasure one or more temperatures such as of the heating element 5240 orof the flow of air downstream of the water reservoir outlet 5122. Insome forms, the humidifier 5000 may further comprise a temperaturesensor 5216 to detect the temperature of the ambient air.

5.5.2.14.4 Humidity Transducer 5218

In one form, the humidifier 5000 may comprise one or more humiditysensors 5218 to detect a humidity of a gas, such as the ambient air. Thehumidity sensor 5218 may be placed towards an outlet of the humidifier5000 in some forms to measure a humidity of the gas delivered from thehumidifier 5000. The humidity sensor may be an absolute humidity sensoror a relative humidity sensor.

5.5.2.15 Heating Element 5240

A heating element 5240 may be provided to the humidifier 5000 in somecases to provide a heat input to one or more of the volume of water inthe water reservoir 5110 or to the flow of air. The heating element 5240may comprise a heat generating component 5242 (see FIG. 17b ) such as anelectrically resistive heating track. One suitable example of a heatingelement 5240 is a layered heating element such as one described in thePCT Patent Application Publication Number WO 2012/171072, the entiredocument of which is incorporated herewithin by reference.

In some forms, the heating element 5240 may be provided in the chassis4016 where heat may be provided to the water reservoir 5110 primarily byconduction, for example through a HE cover plate 5241 (see FIG. 17b )which may be composed of a conductive material such as a metal (e.g.stainless steel or aluminium).)

The heating element 5240 may be supported by a HE seal 5243 as shown inFIG. 17b , configured to prevent or discourage ingress of any water fromthe water reservoir 5110 or the dock 4130 into the heating element 5240.In one form, the HE seal 5243 (shown in greater detail in FIGS. 17g-17h) may seal around the periphery of the heating element 5240, and elevatethe heating element 5240 from the base of the RPT device 4000. The HEseal 5243 may comprise one or more resilient portions such as the HEcones 5245 as shown in FIGS. 17d and 17h , configured to provide acompressive force to help engage the heating element 5240 with theconductive portion 5120 of the water reservoir 5110. In one form, the HEseal 5243 and the heating element 5240 may be configured so that whenthe water reservoir 5110 is inserted into and engaged with the dock4130, the HE cones 5245 are compressed axially to provide an upwardforce, thereby pushing the heating element 5240 toward the conductiveportion 5120 of the water reservoir 5110 and improving the thermalcontact therebetween.

The HE seal 5243 may further comprise one or more HE cable ports 5246 toallow a cable (e.g. for electrical power) to travel therethrough, forexample from another portion of the chassis 4016 such as outside of thedock 4130 and near the pneumatic block 4020. The one or more HE cableports 5246 may sealingly engage around a periphery of the cabletravelling therethrough to prevent ingress of water into the heatingelement 5240. In one form, the HE seal 5243 may be constructed from aresilient material such as silicone, and comprise integrally formed HEcones 5245 and HE cable ports 5246. The HE cable port 5246 may comprisea cavity for the cable to travel therethrough, and may be configured toengage with another cavity for location and/or retention, such as bybeing shaped as a protrusion to be inserted into a cavity in the chassis4016.

The humidifier 5000 may comprise a HE base cover 5244 as shown in FIG.17b and in further detail in FIGS. 17i and 17j . The HE base cover 5244may be removably coupled to the chassis 4016 (e.g. by screws) to allowaccess to the heating element 5240, and comprise one or more featuresconfigured to support and locate the HE seal 5243. In one form, the HEbase cover 5244 may further comprise HE cone slots 52475246 configuredto receive HE cones 5245 while allowing a compression thereof.

5.5.2.15.1 Humidifier Controller 5250

According to one arrangement of the present technology, a humidifier5000 may comprise a humidifier controller 5250 as shown in FIG. 5c . Inone form, the humidifier controller 5250 may be a part of the centralcontroller 4230. In another form, the humidifier controller 5250 may bea separate controller, which may be in communication with the centralcontroller 4230.

In one form, the humidifier controller 5250 may receive as inputsmeasures of characteristics (such as temperature, humidity, pressure orflow rate), for example of the flow of air, the water in the reservoir5110 or the humidifier 5000. The humidifier controller 5250 may also beconfigured to execute or implement humidifier algorithms or deliver oneor more output signals.

As shown in FIG. 5c , the humidifier controller may comprise one or morecontrollers, such as a central humidifier controller 5251, a heated aircircuit controller 5254 configured to control the temperature of aheated air circuit or a heating element controller 5252 configured tocontrol the temperature of a hot plate.

5.6 Glossary

For the purposes of the present technology disclosure, in certain formsof the present technology, one or more of the following definitions mayapply. In other forms of the present technology, alternative definitionsmay apply.

5.6.1 General

Air: In certain forms of the present technology, air may be taken tomean atmospheric air, and in other forms of the present technology airmay be taken to mean some other combination of breathable gases, e.g.atmospheric air enriched with oxygen.

Ambient: In certain forms of the present technology, the term ambientwill be taken to mean (i) external of the treatment system or patient,and (ii) immediately surrounding the treatment system or patient.

For example, ambient humidity with respect to a humidifier may be thehumidity of air immediately surrounding the humidifier, e.g. thehumidity in the room where a patient is sleeping. Such ambient humiditymay be different to the humidity outside the room where a patient issleeping.

In another example, ambient pressure may be the pressure immediatelysurrounding or external to the body.

In certain forms, ambient (e.g. acoustic) noise may be considered to bethe background noise level in the room where a patient is located, otherthan for example, noise generated by an RPT device or emanating from amask or patient interface. Ambient noise may be generated by sourcesoutside the room.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): CPAP treatment will be takento mean the application of a supply of air to the entrance to theairways at a pressure that is continuously positive with respect toatmosphere, and preferably approximately constant through a respiratorycycle of a patient. In some forms, the pressure at the entrance to theairways will be slightly higher during exhalation, and slightly lowerduring inhalation. In some forms, the pressure will vary betweendifferent respiratory cycles of the patient, for example being increasedin response to detection of indications of partial upper airwayobstruction, and decreased in the absence of indications of partialupper airway obstruction.

CDMA: is an abbreviation for Code division multiple access.

GSM: is an abbreviation for Global System for Mobile.

LTE: is an abbreviation for Long Term Evolution.

USB: is an abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus.

5.6.2 Materials

Silicone or Silicone Elastomer: A synthetic rubber. In thisspecification, a reference to silicone is a reference to liquid siliconerubber (LSR) or a compression moulded silicone rubber (CMSR). One formof commercially available LSR is SILASTIC (included in the range ofproducts sold under this trademark), manufactured by Dow Corning.Another manufacturer of LSR is Wacker. Unless otherwise specified to thecontrary, a preferred form of LSR has a Shore A (or Type A) indentationhardness in the range of about 35 to about 45 as measured using ASTMD2240.

Polycarbonate: a typically transparent thermoplastic polymer ofBisphenol-A Carbonate.

5.7 Other Remarks

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise and where a range ofvalues is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to thetenth of the unit of the lower limit, between the upper and lower limitof that range, and any other stated or intervening value in that statedrange is encompassed within the technology. The upper and lower limitsof these intervening ranges, which may be independently included in theintervening ranges, are also encompassed within the technology, subjectto any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the statedrange includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either orboth of those included limits are also included in the technology.

Furthermore, where a value or values are stated herein as beingimplemented as part of the technology, it is understood that such valuesmay be approximated, unless otherwise stated, and such values may beutilized to any suitable significant digit to the extent that apractical technical implementation may permit or require it.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this technology belongs. Although any methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also beused in the practice or testing of the present technology, a limitednumber of the exemplary methods and materials are described herein.

When a particular material is identified as being preferably used toconstruct a component, obvious alternative materials with similarproperties may be used as a substitute. Furthermore, unless specified tothe contrary, any and all components herein described are understood tobe capable of being manufactured and, as such, may be manufacturedtogether or separately.

It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, thesingular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include their plural equivalents,unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

All publications mentioned herein are incorporated by reference todisclose and describe the methods, materials (or both) which are thesubject of those publications. The publications discussed herein areprovided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of thepresent application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admissionthat the present technology is not entitled to antedate such publicationby virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication providedmay be different from the actual publication dates, which may need to beindependently confirmed.

Moreover, in interpreting the disclosure, all terms should beinterpreted in the broadest reasonable manner consistent with thecontext. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should beinterpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in anon-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements,components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with otherelements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.

The subject headings used in the detailed description are included onlyfor the ease of reference of the reader and should not be used to limitthe subject matter found throughout the disclosure or the claims. Thesubject headings should not be used in construing the scope of theclaims or the claim limitations.

Although the technology herein has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodimentsare merely illustrative of the principles and applications of thetechnology. In some instances, the terminology and symbols may implyspecific details that are not required to practice the technology. Forexample, although the terms “first” and “second” may be used, unlessotherwise specified, they are not intended to indicate any order but maybe utilised to distinguish between distinct elements. Furthermore,although process steps in the methodologies may be described orillustrated in an order, such an ordering is not required. Those skilledin the art will recognize that such ordering may be modified.Additionally, or alternatively, aspects thereof may be conductedconcurrently or even synchronously.

It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be madeto the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may bedevised without departing from the spirit and scope of the technology.

5.8 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST Component Reference patient 1000 bed partner1100 patient interface 3000 seal-forming structure 3100 plenum chamber3200 structure 3300 connection port 3600 rpt device 4000 rpt deviceinlet 4002 rpt device outlet 4004 outlet tube 4006 first portion 4006asecond portion 4006b flange 4006fl outlet tube guide portion 4006guoutlet tube latch portion 4006la outlet end 4006oe intermediate tube4008 external housing 4010 front panel cutout 4010co external housinglight port 4010lp protrusion 4010pr front panel 4012 internal shoulder4012sh side panel 4014 access cover 4014ac access cover anchoringportion 4014an recess 4014ch cover portion 4014co connection port 4014cpside panel frame 4014f inlet air filter cover 4014fc air filter housing4014h access cover hinge portion 4014hi complementary recess 4014re wall4014w chassis 4016 platform 4016pl pneumatic block 4020 acoustic foam4020af blower sleeve 4020bs first chamber 4020c1 second chamber 4020c2flow plate 4020fp flow tube 4020ft first PB housing 4020h1 second PBhousing 4020h2 pb inlet 4020in pb inlet tube 4020it pb outlet rim 4020orpb outlet 4020ou sleeve pull tab 4020pt pb sensor coupler 4020sc flowsensor port 4020sp sleeve tab 4020st pb water shield 4020ws pb watertrap 4020wt patient interface connector 4107 air filter 4110 inlet airfilter 4112 outlet air filter 4114 muffler 4120 inlet muffler 4122outlet muffler 4124 muffler body 4124bo muffler cap 4124ca muffler clip4124cl muffler damper 4124da muffler expansion chamber 4124ex mufflerfoam 4124fo muffler hinge 4124hi muffler entry 4124in muffler lever4124le muffler exit 4124ou muffler travel limiter 4124tl dock 4130corresponding dock guide portion 4130gu complementary recess 4130re dockoutlet slot 4130sl dock outlet 4132 dock outlet pressure port 4132ppdock inlet 4134 pressure generator 4140 blower 4142 blower inlet 4142inblower outlet 4142ou motor 4144 tab 4148 back valve 4160 air circuit4170 ac helical coil 4170co ac electrical connector 4170ec electricallead 4170le ac outlet connector 4170oc ac overmould 4170om block 4170pbrecess 4170re base seal 4170se ac tube portion 4170tp actuator 4172retention feature 4174 AC tab 4176 internal rib 4177 travel stop 4178oxygen delivery port 4180 user interface panel 4190 ui base 4190ba lightwell 4190lw ui seal 4190se pcba 4202 power supply 4210 input device 4220first button 4222 second button 4224 dial 4226 dial aperture 4226ap dialcover 4226co dial seal 4226se encoder shaft 4226sh central controller4230 clock 4232 therapy device controller 4240 protection circuit 4250memory 4260 transducer 4270 pressure transducer 4272 flow transducer4274 motor speed transducer 4276 ambient light sensor 4278 datacommunication interface 4280 antenna 4280an antenna ground plane 4280gpfirst side 4280n1 second side 4280n2 remote external communicationnetwork 4282 local external communication network 4284 remote externaldevice 4286 local external device 4288 output device 4290 display driver4292 display 4294 display cover 4294co visual interface 4295 reportsub-menu 4295a1 report sub-menu 4295a2 report sub-menu 4295a3 reportsub-menu 4295a4 report sub-menu 4295a5 report sub-menu 4295a6 reportsub-menu 4295a7 report sub-menu 4295a8 report sub-menu 4295b1 reportsub-menu 4295b2 report sub-menu 4295b3 report sub-menu 4295b4 firstclinical menu screen 4295c1 first menu screen 4295m1 first clinical menuscreen 4295m2 selectable sub-menu 4295o1 selectable sub-menu 4295o2report sub-menu 4295r1 report sub-menu 4295r2 report sub-menu 4295r3report sub-menu 4295r4 report menu 4295re selectable sub-menu 4295s1selectable sub-menu 4295s2 selectable sub-menu 4295s3 selectable menu4295se window portion 4295w control module 4330 humidifier 5000 outletassembly 5004 swivelling disc 5050 swivel disc seal 5051 electricalconnector receiver 5052 notch 5054 outlet connection region 5056 femaleelectrical connector 5058 receiver contact element 5058ce disc stopsurface 5060 disc stop surface 5062 housing stop surface 5064 housingstop surface 5066 cable 5070 cable housing 5080 inner wall 5082 outerwall 5084 void 5086 annular section 5088 retainer 5090 opening 5092housing tab 5094 water reservoir 5110 water reservoir base 5112 waterreservoir lid 5114 compliant portion 5116 water reservoir inlet 5118conductive portion 5120 water reservoir outlet 5122 plate 5123 reservoirinlet tube 5124 inlet cap 5125 reservoir outlet tube 5126 contactelement 5146 base conductor plate 5152 handle recess 5154 handle recess5156 hinge 5158 complementary hinge recess portion 5159 dock cavity 5160humidifier outlet 5172 latch 5186 intermediate portion 5202 humidifiertransducer 5210 pressure transducer 5212 flow transducer 5214temperature transducer 5216 humidity transducer 5218 heating element5240 he cover plate 5241 heat generating component 5242 he seal 5243 hebase cover 5244 he cone 5245 he cable port 5246 he cone slot 5247humidifier controller 5250 central humidifier controller 5251 heatingelement controller 5252 air circuit controller 5254 humidifier end cap5300 magnet 5340 end cap magnet holder 5345

The invention claimed is:
 1. A respiratory pressure therapy (RPT) systemfor pressurising breathable air to treat a respiratory disorder in apatient, the RPT system comprising: a water reservoir comprising: a baseconfigured to hold a volume of water for humidification of breathableair; a lid pivotably connected to the base by a pair of hinges, the lidhaving a first water reservoir opening, a second water reservoiropening, and a flat surface, and the first water reservoir opening andthe second water reservoir opening each being formed through the flatsurface such that the first water reservoir opening and the second waterreservoir opening are each surrounded by the flat surface; and a waterreservoir seal constructed from an elastomeric material and positionedbetween the base and the lid to seal between the base and the lid whenthe lid is in a closed position on the base; and an RPT devicecomprising: a chassis; a blower configured to pressurise breathable air;an external housing that covers the blower, the external housing beingsupported on the chassis; an RPT device inlet configured to receivebreathable air from externally of the RPT device to be pressurised bythe blower; an RPT device outlet configured to be removably coupled toan air circuit to deliver breathable air pressurised by the blower to apatient interface; a dock to which the water reservoir is removablysecured; a first RPT device opening configured to pneumaticallycommunicate with the first water reservoir opening when the waterreservoir is secured to the dock; a second RPT device opening configuredto pneumatically communicate with the second water reservoir openingwhen the water reservoir is secured to the dock; a heating elementsupported on the chassis and configured to generate and conduct heat tothe water reservoir when the water reservoir is secured to the dock; anda first face seal positioned between the first RPT device opening andthe first water reservoir opening and configured to sealingly engage theflat surface when the water reservoir is secured to the dock.
 2. The RPTsystem of claim 1, further comprising a second face seal positionedbetween the second RPT device opening and the second water reservoiropening and configured to sealingly engage the flat surface when thewater reservoir is removably secured to the dock, wherein: the firstface seal comprises a first flap having a first free edge that forms afirst hole, the first flap being continuous around the first hole, andthe first flap being cantilevered towards the first hole, the secondface seal comprises a second flap having a second free edge that forms asecond hole, the second flap being continuous around the second hole,and the second flap being cantilevered towards the second hole, the baseand the lid are each constructed from a thermoplastic polymer, the baseof the water reservoir further comprises a metal portion configured toconduct heat from the heating element to the volume of water held by thebase, and the water reservoir further comprises a latch configured toreleasably secure the lid in the closed position on the base.
 3. The RPTsystem of claim 2, wherein: the water reservoir is configured such thatthe water reservoir must be removed from the dock to be refilled, thedock forms a cavity configured to removably receive the water reservoir,the dock and the water reservoir are shaped and dimensioned such that aportion of the water reservoir is positioned outside of the cavity ofthe dock when the water reservoir is removably received by the dock, andthe portion of the water reservoir that is positioned outside of thedock when the water reservoir is removably received by the dock has atleast one dimension that is greater than the portion of the waterreservoir positioned inside of the dock when the water reservoir issecured to the dock.
 4. The RPT system of claim 2, wherein the first RPTdevice opening is a dock inlet in pneumatic communication with the RPTdevice outlet and the first water reservoir opening is a water reservoiroutlet, and wherein the second RPT device opening is a dock outlet inpneumatic communication with the blower and the second water reservoiropening is a water reservoir inlet.
 5. The RPT system of claim 2,wherein the dock is configured such that breathable air pressurised bythe blower can only reach the RPT device outlet when the water reservoiris removably secured to the dock to complete a flow path between thefirst RPT device opening and the second RPT device opening.
 6. The RPTsystem of claim 2, wherein the first face seal is a bellows-type faceseal.
 7. A water reservoir for a respiratory pressure therapy (RPT)system to treat a respiratory disorder in a patient with pressurisedbreathable air, the water reservoir comprising: a base configured tohold a volume of water for humidification of breathable air; a lidpivotably connected to the base by a pair of hinges, the lid having afirst water reservoir opening, a second water reservoir opening, and aflat surface, the first water reservoir opening and the second waterreservoir opening each being formed through the flat surface such thatthe first water reservoir opening and the second water reservoir openingare each surrounded by the flat surface, and the flat surface beingconfigured to sealingly engage a first face seal and a second face sealat the first water reservoir opening and the second water reservoiropening, respectively, when the water reservoir is removably secured tothe RPT system; and a water reservoir seal constructed from anelastomeric material and positioned between the base and the lid to sealbetween the base and the lid when the lid is in a closed position on thebase.
 8. The water reservoir of claim 7, wherein: the base and the lidare each constructed from a thermoplastic polymer, the base of the waterreservoir further comprises a metal portion configured to conduct heatfrom a heating element of the RPT system to the volume of water held bythe base, the water reservoir further comprises a latch configured toreleasably secure the lid in the closed position on the base, the latchis positioned on a first side of the water reservoir and the pair ofhinges are positioned on a second side of the water reservoir that isopposite the first side of the water reservoir, the first waterreservoir opening and the second water reservoir opening are positionedon the second side of the water reservoir, an interior of the waterreservoir is pneumatically connected to the first water reservoiropening by a first enclosed passage that extends into the interior ofthe water reservoir, and the interior of the water reservoir ispneumatically connected to the second water reservoir opening by asecond enclosed passage that extends into the interior of the waterreservoir.
 9. The water reservoir of claim 8, the latch comprises a slotformed through a tab that extends from the lid and a tang that extendsfrom the base, the slot being configured to releasably receive the tangwhen the lid is in the closed position on the base, the first enclosedpassage is a first tube that has a first longitudinal axis and thesecond enclosed passage is a second tube that has a second longitudinalaxis, the first longitudinal axis and the second longitudinal axis arenot parallel to one another, the second tube comprises a downspoutpositioned at an end opposite the second water reservoir opening, thedownspout being oriented towards the base when the lid is in the closedposition on the base, and the lid comprises a protrusion configured toreleasably engage a recess formed in a dock of the RPT system.
 10. Thewater reservoir of claim 8, further comprising a rigid, intermediatesupport portion positioned between the base and the lid when the lid isin the closed position on the base, the water reservoir seal beingjoined to the rigid, intermediate support portion such that the rigid,intermediate support portion and the water reservoir seal are removablefrom the water reservoir as a single unit, the water reservoir sealbeing continuous around a perimeter of the rigid, intermediate supportportion, and the water reservoir seal comprising a flap that iscantilevered inwardly from the perimeter of the rigid, intermediatesupport portion.
 11. The water reservoir of claim 8, wherein the firstwater reservoir opening is a water reservoir outlet configured to directpressurised breathable air to an RPT system outlet during use, andwherein the second water reservoir opening is a water reservoir inletconfigured to receive pressurised breathable air from a blower of theRPT system during use.
 12. The water reservoir of claim 8, the waterreservoir seal is removably connected to the lid, and the waterreservoir seal is continuous around a perimeter of the lid, the waterreservoir seal comprising a flap that is cantilevered inwardly from theperimeter of the lid.
 13. An RPT system comprising: the water reservoirof claim 7; and an RPT device comprising: a blower configured topressurise breathable air; a dock to which the water reservoir isremovably secured; a chassis; a heating element supported on the chassisand configured to generate and conduct heat to the water reservoir whenthe water reservoir is removably secured to the dock; and a first faceseal configured to sealingly engage the flat surface when the waterreservoir is removably secured to the dock.
 14. A water reservoir for arespiratory pressure therapy (RPT) system to treat a respiratorydisorder in a patient with pressurised breathable air, the waterreservoir comprising: a base configured to hold a volume of water forhumidification of breathable air; a lid pivotably connected to the baseby a pair of hinges; and a water reservoir seal constructed from anelastomeric material and positioned between the base and the lid to sealbetween the base and the lid when the lid is in a closed position on thebase, wherein the base and the lid are each constructed from athermoplastic polymer, wherein the base of the water reservoir furthercomprises a metal portion configured to conduct heat from a heatingelement of the RPT system to the volume of water held by the base,wherein the lid has a first water reservoir opening formed through afirst flat surface portion of the thermoplastic polymer such that thefirst flat surface portion surrounds the first water reservoir opening,the first flat surface portion being configured to sealingly engage afirst face seal when the water reservoir is removably received by theRPT system, and wherein the lid has a second water reservoir openingformed through a second flat surface portion in a second portion of thethermoplastic polymer such that the second flat surface portionsurrounds the second water reservoir opening.
 15. The water reservoir ofclaim 14, wherein: the water reservoir further comprises a latchconfigured to releasably secure the lid in the closed position on thebase, the latch is positioned on a first side of the water reservoir andthe pair of hinges are positioned on a second side of the waterreservoir that is opposite the first side of the water reservoir, thefirst water reservoir opening and the second water reservoir opening arepositioned on the second side of the water reservoir, an interior of thewater reservoir is pneumatically connected to the first water reservoiropening by a first enclosed passage that extends into the interior ofthe water reservoir, and the interior of the water reservoir ispneumatically connected to the second water reservoir opening by asecond enclosed passage that extends into the interior of the waterreservoir.
 16. The water reservoir of claim 15, further comprising arigid, intermediate support portion positioned between the base and thelid when the lid is in the closed position on the base, the waterreservoir seal being joined to the rigid, intermediate support portionsuch that the rigid, intermediate support portion and the waterreservoir seal are removable from the water reservoir as a single unit,the water reservoir seal being continuous around a perimeter of therigid, intermediate support portion, and the water reservoir sealcomprising a flap that is cantilevered inwardly from the perimeter ofthe rigid, intermediate support portion.
 17. The water reservoir ofclaim 15, wherein: the latch comprises a slot formed through a tab thatextends from the lid and a tang that extends from the base, the slotbeing configured to releasably receive the tang when the lid is in theclosed position on the base, the first enclosed passage is a first tubethat has a first longitudinal axis and the second enclosed passage is asecond tube that has a second longitudinal axis, the first longitudinalaxis and the second longitudinal axis are not parallel to one another,the second tube comprises a downspout positioned at an end opposite thesecond water reservoir opening, the downspout being oriented towards thebase when the lid is in the closed position on the base, the lidcomprises a protrusion configured to releasably engage a recess formedin a dock of the RPT system, the first water reservoir opening is awater reservoir outlet configured to direct pressurised breathable airto an RPT system outlet during use, and the second water reservoiropening is a water reservoir inlet configured to receive pressurisedbreathable air from a blower of the RPT system during use.
 18. The waterreservoir of claim 15, wherein the water reservoir seal is fixed to thelid.
 19. The water reservoir of claim 15, wherein the water reservoirseal is removably connected to the lid, and the water reservoir seal iscontinuous around a perimeter of the lid, the water reservoir sealcomprising a flap that is cantilevered inwardly from the perimeter ofthe lid.
 20. An RPT system comprising: the water reservoir of claim 14;and an RPT device comprising: a blower configured to pressurisebreathable air; a dock configured to removably receive the waterreservoir; a chassis; a heating element supported on the chassis andconfigured to generate and conduct heat to the water reservoir when thewater reservoir is removably received by the dock; and a first face sealconfigured to sealingly engage the first flat surface portion when thewater reservoir is removably received by the dock.
 21. A water reservoirfor a respiratory pressure therapy (RPT) system to treat a respiratorydisorder in a patient with pressurised breathable air, the waterreservoir comprising: a base configured to hold a volume of water forhumidification of breathable air; a lid movably connected to the base; awater reservoir seal constructed from an elastomeric material andconfigured to seal against the base when the lid is in a closed positionon the base; and a first water reservoir opening and a second waterreservoir opening formed through a flat surface such that the flatsurface surrounds the first water reservoir opening and the second waterreservoir opening, the flat surface being configured to sealingly engagea face seal portion when the water reservoir is removably received bythe RPT system, wherein the base and the lid are each constructed from athermoplastic polymer, and wherein the base of the water reservoirfurther comprises a metal portion configured to conduct heat from aheating element of the RPT system to the volume of water held by thebase.
 22. The water reservoir of claim 21, wherein: the water reservoirfurther comprises a latch configured to releasably secure the lid in theclosed position on the base, the first water reservoir opening and thesecond water reservoir opening are positioned on an opposite side of thewater reservoir relative to the latch, wherein an interior of the waterreservoir is pneumatically connected to the first water reservoiropening by a first enclosed passage that extends into the interior ofthe water reservoir, and wherein the interior of the water reservoir ispneumatically connected to the second water reservoir opening by asecond enclosed passage that extends into the interior of the waterreservoir.
 23. The water reservoir of claim 22, wherein the latchcomprises a slot formed through a tab that extends from the lid and atang that extends from the base, the slot being configured to releasablyreceive the tang when the lid is in the closed position on the base. 24.The water reservoir of claim 22, further comprising a rigid,intermediate support portion positioned between the base and the lidwhen the lid is in the closed position on the base, the water reservoirseal being joined to the rigid, intermediate support portion such thatthe rigid, intermediate support portion and the water reservoir seal areremovable from the water reservoir as a single unit, and the waterreservoir seal having a continuous perimeter.
 25. The water reservoir ofclaim 24, wherein the rigid, intermediate support portion furthercomprises a baffle configured to redirect pressurised breathable airflowing into the water reservoir.
 26. The water reservoir of claim 24,wherein the water reservoir seal comprises a flap that is cantileveredinwardly from a perimeter of the rigid, intermediate support portion,the water reservoir seal being continuous around the perimeter of therigid, intermediate support portion, and the water reservoir seal beingpositioned between the base and the lid to seal between the base and thelid when the lid is in the closed position on the base.
 27. The waterreservoir of claim 22, wherein the first water reservoir opening is awater reservoir outlet configured to direct pressurised breathable airto an RPT system outlet during use, and wherein the second waterreservoir opening is a water reservoir inlet configured to receivepressurised breathable air from a blower of the RPT system during use.28. The water reservoir of claim 22, wherein the water reservoir seal isremovably connected to the lid, and the water reservoir seal iscontinuous around a perimeter of the lid, the water reservoir sealcomprising a flap that is cantilevered inwardly from the perimeter ofthe lid.
 29. The water reservoir of claim 22, wherein the lid includesthe first water reservoir opening, the second water reservoir opening,and the flat surface, and wherein the lid is pivotably connected to thebase by a pair of hinges.
 30. An RPT system comprising: the waterreservoir of claim 21; and an RPT device comprising: a blower configuredto pressurise breathable air; a chassis; a heating element supported onthe chassis and configured to generate and conduct heat to the waterreservoir when the water reservoir is removably connected to the RPTdevice; and a first face seal portion configured to sealingly engage theflat surface when the water reservoir is removably connected to the RPTdevice.